The Nineties

The Nineties x Anna Sui is a vibrant tribute to the designer whose mix of rock-n-roll romanticism, baby-doll silhouettes, and thrift-shop eclecticism helped define 1990s style. Through runway stills, backstage moments, sketches, and ephemera, the book traces Sui’s cult universe: grunge-tinged plaids and slips, butterfly motifs, nostalgia-soaked florals, and the charismatic models who brought them to life. Essays situate the collections within the decade’s cultural currents—music videos, downtown clubs, and DIY fashion—while also charting Sui’s craftsmanship, from textile development to the cinematic storytelling of each show. Compact yet image-dense, the volume captures how Sui fused subculture and couture, making clothes that felt personal and playful without sacrificing technique. It reads as both history and mood board: a reference for stylists and students, and a love letter for fans who remember the thrill of those catwalks. Above all, it affirms Sui’s enduring influence on today’s designers, who continue to mine the ’90s for ideas she helped crystallize—proof that authenticity, imagination, and a finely tuned eye can turn a small label into a lasting cultural force.