Whatever the current trends, count on Anna Sui to find the appropriate soundtrack. This season, it was the Ramones from beginning to end, providing a high-energy backdrop for her punchy spring collection.
Sui started out with kicky plaid pleated minis; hip-length, boxy, tight trousers trimmed in bright ribbon; and Carnaby Street-inspired striped shirts. She quickly moved out of the dance club and into the country club with a series of dresses, skirts, tops and jackets inspired by organized sports: piqué golf skirts embroidered with frogs, short white tennis dresses that mixed athletic mesh and lace, football jerseys shrunk for a more feminine fit, cropped baseball jackets, prepped-out sweaters and fuzzy cardigans. From there, she went fragile (though Blitzkrieg Bop continued to pound out of the speakers), closing the show with a series of lacy, neon-bright baby-doll dresses worn with clunky Frye boots. There were some cute, compelling pieces mixed into the outfits, like a ruffled floral windbreaker and some short silk floral dresses. But Sui s ability to translate street trends into great items was not as much in evidence as it has been in past seasons.
