Anna Sui's 2015 Spring/Summer Asia visuals have been released. This season marks the brand's first time featuring a male model.
Previously, the brand's seasonal visuals have featured female models who have appeared in New York Fashion Week shows. The brand's first male model is Yusuke Onuki, a dancer active both in Japan and abroad who has recently become active as an actor. Onuki's supple physique, known for his ability to perform a variety of dance styles, from street dance to ballet, made him the perfect choice.
The shoot took place at Electric Lady Studios in New York City late last year, with designer Anna Sui in attendance. The legendary studio where the shoot took place was opened in the 1970s by Jimi Hendrix with the hope that musicians from around the world would gather and record the common language of music under one roof. This season's Anna Sui collection features many glamorous pieces that pay homage to Anna's beloved rock stars of the 1960s and 1970s. The runway evoked the atmosphere of that era with butterfly designs, star motifs, metallic textiles, and psychedelic colors. The season's visuals were shot by photographer Emma Summerton, capturing that same aesthetic. Onuki, who spoke with Anna in New York, commented, "I was nervous about shooting in New York surrounded by a staff from overseas, but shooting in a historic recording studio with Anna Sui and other first-class staff was an incredibly valuable experience. It was a happy shoot." Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of Anna Sui's arrival in Japan, so keep an eye out for the new season launch.