Bridging High Fashion with Everyday Style
Old Navy's Debut Designer Partnership with Anna Sui
In a groundbreaking move, Old Navy has unveiled its inaugural designer collaboration alongside the renowned downtown fashion icon, Anna Sui. This partnership introduces a capsule collection comprising 24 distinct pieces, catering to a wide range of sizes from XS to 4X, with prices spanning from an accessible $24.99 to $119.99. Zac Posen, Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Gap Inc., expressed his conviction that fashion and style should be within everyone's reach, making Sui an ideal collaborator for this vision.
The Visionaries Behind the Collection: Posen, Sui, and PinkPantheress
The collaboration's launch was a vibrant event in Brooklyn, where Zac Posen and Anna Sui were present for simultaneous photoshoots. One studio captured models showcasing the new line, while in another, musician PinkPantheress (Victoria Beverley Walker), the campaign's muse, embodied the collection's spirit. Her bohemian style, reminiscent of Diana Vreeland's iconic Vogue era or Sui's meticulously curated mood boards, perfectly aligned with the collection's aesthetic.
A Nod to the Nineties: Design Inspirations and Iconic Revivals
Anna Sui, celebrated for her extensive fashion knowledge and passion for music, has recently gained further recognition with her new book, Anna Sui x The Nineties, anticipating her brand's 45th anniversary. Posen highlighted his choice of Sui, emphasizing her status as an iconic American designer whose work resonates with a broad demographic and embodies a true American success story. This collaboration is both a strategic business decision and a heartfelt tribute, given Posen's own experience growing up near Sui's influential SoHo boutique, which opened just two years before Old Navy's inception.
Democratizing Style: Accessibility and Inclusivity in Fashion
The collection's color palette draws directly from Sui's signature purple and black, a nod to her iconic SoHo store. Both Sui and Posen were deeply inspired by 90s fashion during the collection's development, leading to the inclusion of a reinterpretation of a dress from Sui's acclaimed grunge collection. Posen anticipates the line will appeal to diverse customers, from fervent collectors to those seeking vintage-inspired pieces. With Old Navy's commitment to offering all sizes and ages, this collaboration effectively unites high fashion with family-friendly appeal.
Versatility and Thoughtful Details: The Collection's Signature Elements
The collection boasts reimagined wardrobe staples, including flock-printed t-shirts, sweatshirts, and denim, available in both dark washes and patterned light washes with intricate laser burn-out details. Sui notes the collection's versatility, suggesting it can be styled in various ways, embracing both bohemian and grunge aesthetics, and even incorporating a subtle "lingerie touch" through lace-edged slips designed for substantial feel. The standout piece, according to Sui, is a faux suede coat adorned with a faux fur collar and cuffs, a coveted item even within her own office. Posen enthusiastically describes the collection as offering everything from the ideal bohemian dress to pieces with a rebellious attitude, all meticulously crafted with attention to detail, such as velvet ribbons, custom buttons, and Sui's distinctive butterfly-shaped hang tags. This collaboration is poised to bring joy and excitement, embodying Old Navy's spirit of happiness and Anna Sui's imaginative contribution to the American fashion scene.