That Time I Had Lunch with Anna Sui

Well, it’s officially 2015, and while everyone is looking back on the year that was, I’m doing the same – starting with what I have dubbed ‘The Best Day of 2014‘ – the day I got to meet and have lunch with the talented and iconic fashion designer, Anna Sui.

Click through to read all about the amazing luncheon, and to see my Anna Sui-inspired nail art.

I was lucky enough to attend this luncheon, all thanks to writer, editor, Cityline beauty correspondent, and all-around amazing man, Dave Lackie.  If you aren’t familiar with Dave, you should definitely check him on on twitter, @DaveLackie – he is great to talk beauty with, has super-funny exchanges with his make up artist friend, Nina Westbury, and does several giveaways each week, where all you have to do is follow and retweet.

Dave hosted the Toronto luncheon for Anna Sui, her team, and a few lucky fans, myself included.  Some fellow beauty bloggers were there as well, including Sarah from SarahOhm.com, and Kaitlyn from Kaitlyn Elisabeth Beauty.  Here are some photos from the afternoon.

Me fooling around, in front of the ‘Stop & Repeat’.

Along with a beautiful dining set-up, the room was filled with the latest Anna Sui beauty items.

Of course, I had to do Anna Sui-themed nail art for the event, so I did nails inspired by the packaging of her beauty line.

And although I didn’t get a photo of Anna seeing my nails, I did get a photo of one of the members of Team Sui showing Anna a picture of my nails, which she took before Anna arrived.

Anna walked over to me later on, to get a closer look at my nails, and was asking me questions about how I did it, and how long it took.  I’m so glad that I got a chance to show her how much her work inspires me.

I ran into my friend Jessica, so of course we needed a selfie.

Once Anna arrived, Dave did a little speech, introducing Anna to the group, and welcoming everyone.  He then did a short interview, where Anna discussed fashion, her new beauty products, and how she is inspired by Dorothy Draper.  Below is a video I took of Anna sharing some beauty tips (apologies for the blurry quality – it got all fuzzy when I uploaded it to youtube).

We then got to sit down, enjoy our lunch, and chit-chat ensued.  Anna, her brother Bobby, and all of what I call “Team Sui”, were very friendly, and easy to talk to.  At one point, we were eating our lunch and talking fashion.  Anna was telling us stories about traveling with Karl Lagerfeld & Donatella Versace, and the first time she met Andy Warhol, and at that point, I slowly turned to the person sitting beside me (Jen, photographed below) and quietly said “Where am I?  Is this real life?”.

Me and my new friend Jen.

The lunch was not only delicious, but it was also gorgeous (I’m a sucker for food presentation).  I can’t remember who catered it, but I did take photos!

I was drawn to the beautiful nail polishes, like a magnet – my fave, crellies!

One of the attendees giving Anna a gift.

Another attendee asking Anna about her jewelry.

Getting our pose on for the cameras.

Getting our pose on for MY camera.  Yeah, this photo is for sure getting framed.

Fun fact:  Anna is wearing her own brand’s lipstick – a mix of #400 and #401.

After Anna left, we went downstairs to The Bay, to check out the Anna Sui display, and were greeted by a model decked out in Anna Sui fashions, head to toe.

The model wearing some beautiful Anna Sui pieces.

Aaaaand I’m in heaven.

Below is a photo with me and the man who made it all possible, Dave!  I cannot thank you enough for having me at this event Dave – it was an amazing experience, and I am so thankful to have been included – you are so kind & generous, and I’m so happy that I got to meet you in person.

We even made it into a photo on Anna’s official twitter account.  Aaaand my number one focus in this photo is the food – Oh Shawna, this is why we can’t have nice things.

As if the day wasn’t amazing enough, we got to take home some goodie bags with an autographed photo of Anna (soon-to be framed), and few beauty products.

I still can’t believe this happened.  I got to be in the presence of fashion royalty, and talk all things beauty with them.  I was really excited to talk nail polish to 2 members of Team Sui, including a gentleman who also worked for Louboutin nail polish – fun fact:  Did you know that the $675.00 bottle of jewel-encrusted Louboutin nail polish is limited edition?  There’s only 1000 of them in the world.

What a fantastic opportunity this was.  Thank you to Anna, thank you to Dave, thank you to Team Anna, and thank you to everyone who was involved – I’m so thankful!  Until next time. – Shawna