Lunch with Anna Sui

This article has been weeks in the making, I haven't had such personal pressure to do an article justice before this, an article about lunch with Anna Sui. You may be thinking, "Lunch? What's so hard to write about lunch?" but this lunch was a dream. A dream I had before and it's a dream when I think back to it.

My love for fashion started when I was young, growing up in rural Ontario, my exposure to the world of fashion was Jeanne Bekker and Fashion Telelvision-which I started watching with my mum. One of the designer's that always grabbed my attention was Anna Sui. Anna Sui fashion shows are the rock shows of New York Fashion Week, with supermodels (like Linda, Naomi and Christy) strutting down the runway and celebrities in the front row it is a who's who of Fashion and Style. The first time I went to New York and we vivisted SOHO the Anna Sui store was a must.

So when I was invited by the generous Dave Lackie to attend a lunch with Anna, to say I was on cloud nine would be an understatement. I found myself squealing whenever I thought about it and I was energised with anticipation-what would she be like? What will we eat? WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Well the day came and I had my outfit sorted, vintage 60s from Carnaby Street, lace up booties and long blond hair-this is the Blond Champagne of course, and I was on my way. When I arrived I was greeted by the incredible Dave Lackie, the kindest gentleman you could ever meet (I've said it before and I'll say it again if you love beauty you must follow him on twitter @davelackie) and then took my place at an exqusiste table in a room decorated in Anna Sui style. Throughout the room there were tables showcasing her latest makeup and beauty products. Nail polish to beautiful containers to hold your brushes and some of the most beautiful makeup you have ever seen-everything was obviously Anna Sui.

Anna arrived as we were all seated waiting for the gourmet lunch that was about to be served. She brought such an energy into the room, a humble, cool infectious enthusiasm that is rare to find. Sat beside her was her brother, and it was obvious form the start how much family means to the Suis and how close the family is. We talked about his daughters and son as well as his nieces who regularly accomapny Anna on her global trips of research and inspiration.

Dave Lackie and Anna had a brief interview at the beginning of the lunch, discussing the newly decorated Anna Sui cosmetic counter which is partly inspired by Dorothy Draper. Dorothy Draper was an interior decorator of the 30s and one of Anna's favourites. She told us about her recent expansion of her New York City apartment and how she was influenced by Draper's use of drama and used black and white as well as beautifully heavy carved frames. "When it came time to renew the makeup counters, we thought, what can be the newness about it. So we took directly from that apartment and all the elements. The same wall paper, the same beautiful frames and the same Dororthy Draper touch."

That's what I believe to be the strength of the Anna Sui brand. She said that she feels so fortunate to get to obsess over something and create from it, be that in her clothing or makeup, and everything is distinctly Anna and personal. The makeup counters are reflective of her apartment, she wears her own clothing as well as her makeup-as much as she is designing and putting her product out there for us all to enjoy, it's all her and enjoyed by her. That day she was wearing a strong red lip, Anna's Red 400, inspired by the five and dime red lipsticks she used to buy in Detroit growing up and the first beauty product she made. Her beauty advice, "I think the most important thing is to be really comfortable with what you're wearing, but I think you also have to have alot of fun with it and that's what my products try to extend, it's like alot of fun, alot of experimentation, a little bit of fantasy and you don't have to have the same look everyday."

Throughout the lunch Anna ensured that she said hello to everyone and thanked them for coming, she insisted that we ask her any questions we may have and talked about her clothing and makeup with such excitement and passion. She has some of the best fashion and celebrity stories, she's close friends with Sophia Coppola and the elusive master photographer Steven Meisel, and she spoke so honestly with us all as if we had all known each other before.

This lunch was one of the most magnificent experiences of my life. I met one of my Fashion icons and I left inspired and excited by not only the world of beauty and fashion but of being a young woman set on my path to achieve my dreams. I cannot thank Dave or Anna enough.

#fashionhistory #celebrity #fashion #annasui