Sui took inspiration from the way that textile designer, shopkeeper, and New
York Mexican restaurant pioneer Alexander Girard and his doll-maker friend
Marilyn Neuhart made the folkloric modern. "Their work was very colorful,
optimistic, and happy, which is what I'm pushing these days," Sui
said.
The parade of shift dresses, rompers, and peasant tops worn with
kicky skirts had a vaguely south-of-the-border feel—think rosebud embroideries,
rickrack borders, and fringe detailing. But as usual, there was plenty more in
Sui's madcap mix to catch the eye, including astrology prints, a detour into
Spanish toreador mode, studded gladiator sandals, and some of the grooviest
costume jewelry (made by Erickson Beamon) in a season of groovy costume jewelry.
If it didn't put a smile on your face, you weren't paying attention.
