Ensemble
Designer
Anna Sui
(American, born 1952)
Designer
John Fluevog
(born 1948)
Brand
Erickson Beamon
Designer
James Coviello
Designer
Jill Stuart
Brand
Dr. Martens
(British, founded 1960)
Spring 1993
Striped acrylic ribknit, olive silk, felt, multicolor cotton, ceramic, silver metallic leather, and rubber
Gift of Anna Sui
Object number93.70.1
The term grunge was first used to describe a music scene in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The disheveled appearance of grunge musicians, characterized by worn flannel shirts and thrift store finds, quickly grew to influence high fashion. The grunge look was soon adopted by numerous fashion designers. Anna Sui’s military-inspired garments, paired with rainbow striped knits and accessorized with butterfly patches and custom Doc Marten boots, combined elements of the grunge aesthetic with Sui’s optimistic sensibility.
DescriptionRainbow Grunge ensemble: Union suit and matching separate sleeves in acrylic ribknit with rainbow stripes in yellow, yellow green, pink, turquoise blue, and black; olive green drab fatigue style silk vest and shorts with butterfly patches; web fatigue belt with felt flowers; multicolor cotton crocheted cap with star segments; ceramic millefiore cross choker; silver metallic leather brogued ankle boots with striped rubber platform unit soleExhibitions