Anna Sui Takes on Whistler

As part of the current Fashion Week hullabaloo, Anna Sui has collaborated with the Smithsonian to celebrate the Freer Gallery’s Peacock Room.

Did that sentence make any sense? I’m no art historian (like Lar), but I think I can break it down a little for you. Anna Sui = famous American fashion designer. Peacock Room = originally a dining room in London over a century ago painted by famous American painter James Whistler, now permanently displayed in its entirety at the Freer in D.C.

Our parents use to take us to the Freer Gallery all the time when we were young and the Peacock Room was one of our favorite exhibits. The Freer features Asian art so it seems fitting that an Asian American designer would pay tribute to the gallery. All the proceeds from the shirt sales go towards the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler galleries to help further the appreciation of Asian art and culture.

Although the room is dark and gilded, there’s something very magical and uplifting about it. If you ever find yourself in D.C., I highly recommend that you stop by the gallery and take a look at the room. Since its a Smithsonian gallery entry is free – it doesn’t get much better than that!

h/t: Aunt Mare – our lovely aunt who works at the Smithsonian.

13 thoughts on “Anna Sui Takes on Whistler”

  1. I remember the first time I went to D.C. with my family my head exploded when I realized you can just walk into any museum you want. Anna Sui seems like a good fit for the Freer-her stores have that (baroque? roccocco?) style.

    Cath-good call on the velcro waistband. For 250 bucks, I think I want a button.

    Lauren- Scotland? Cool beans. You should go to the islands where Harris Tweed is made! Oh and as for raw+selvage denim for women: I’m pretty sure APCs are considered unisex-I think they sell them in like 25 or 26 inch waists. The petite standard is a slimmer fit than the new standards. They have the new cures too, which I think are slimmer but don’t have the selvage edge. You can get raw levis at a lot of levis stores-they probably won’t be selvage though-but you can shrink to fit those. Any raw denim that isn’t sanforized will shrink if you soak them in warm water-up to 1.5 inches. So I guess you could get like a skinny men’s jean and shrink it too. If money’s not really an issue check out http://www.selfedge.com They’re pretty much my denim authority. Hey this sounds like a good stuff for your girl post.

  2. Wow, that room looks amazing! I love anything with peacocks- made a paper mache peacock that took me 2 semesters in junior high to complete even though you were supposed to finish it in 1 semester! The zoo I grew up going to had peacocks wandering around! Oh yeah and I heart Anna Sui big time!! Hope you girls have a fabulous weekend! xo, Mel

  3. That is so awesome.I’m obsessed with furnishings like that.Just happened upon your blog and I think it’s gorgeous.I’ve been reading through your posts and I love them all!

    Love love love,

    Erin

    xx

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