Fashion icon Anna Sui is famous for her one-of-a-kind take on design, with her work admired and adored by the biggest names in fashion and entertainment.

Sui recalls the first time she saw singer-songwriter Madonna wearing her clothing.

“She took off her coat and she was wearing my dress. And she leaned over and she said ‘Anna, I’m wearing your dress,’ said Sui. “And in her hotel room she had bags and racks of clothing from every major designer in the world there and she was wearing my dress.”

Anna Sui: Fashion’s true original

Fashion icon Anna Sui talks about her inspirations and impact on fashion.

It was a pivotal moment for Sui, inspiring her to move forward in her career. Whether she’s drawing influence from Scandinavian design, 1960’s scene-makers or her own cultural obsessions, the Chinese-American has created work that is equal parts bold and understated.

While Sui often travels around the globe, she says these days, it’s harder to notice a difference in fashion between Chicago and Chengdu.

“Because of globalization, because of the Internet, sometimes you can’t tell where you are until you see the street sign because people are dressed very much alike now,” explained Sui.

Anna Sui joined Mike Walter in our New York studio to discuss her inspirations and impact on fashion.