'Bling Empire' Star Anna Shay Reviews the Recent Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture Shows

Fans familiar with Bling Empire—Netflix's newest binge-worthy series about an ultra-glam clique of Asian American big spenders in Los Angeles—might know Christine Chiu as the Couture Queen. On the show, the Taiwan-born, Beverly-Hills raised millionaire famously compared a donation she made for her son's birthday as costing a "half a season of couture." However Anna Shay, Chiu's unreconciled foil and Bling Empire's unsung hero, might be more worthy of the title. The 60-year-old heiress looks just as natural demolishing walls for her home renovation in her own collection of hand-crafted gowns and highly-coveted jewels as she does jetting off to Paris in a moment's notice. Both occasions, however, require caviar. At the conclusion of the Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture Fashion Week, Shay—who has being wearing coutuer since Richard Tyler designer her prom dress—gives L'OFFICIEL her reviews of the masions' latest collections. 

Says Anna: 

"[Virginie Viard] was with Karl for 20 years. What she did here keeps in line with the integrity of Karl and the house of Chanel but opens it up to a new, younger eye. I think it's amazing! This isn't the classic Chanel that my mom would wear—or that I have worn—but maybe something for my daughter if I had one. But to be honest, I might still wear this, too."

Says Anna: 

"I love, love, love Dior. I always have. Raf Simons for Dior was my all-time favorite time. It was so elegant but so modern. You know, I go to the [Dior store] a lot, and sometimes  I'll find something I like but I'll realize I already have something very similar from Valentino. I think this collection looks a lot like [Maria Grazia Chirui's] past work. Or maybe it's a combination of the two. Everything goes full circle and there's only so much you can change. Don't get me wrong, some of these looks are amazing. Look 26 is my favorite. It just says powerful." 

Says Anna: 

"This coat is gorgeous. It's not for me, no, but I can see someone wearing it fabulously and a lot of people taking photos. As far as these shoes...no, I don't think they're appropriate for a 60-year-old. You know, Valentino was my mom's time, but she was more Chanel, Hermès. Everyday with her Chanel and Hermès she would wear a pair of Nikes. Not everyday but nearly everyday. Of course she had fancy nice shoes too, but I always thought that was so cool. "

Says Anna: 

"Kim Jones is a genius. Specifically at Dior. I love what he did for Dior Men's. I wear a lot of the stuff! It was very smart of the Arnaults to keep him in the family with Fendi. I mean, Dior is their baby, but Fendi is very important, too. I love Kim but I do think [brands] should consider adding new people once in a while. Kim did a great job here, but he's always going to do that. These two looks—wow!"

Says Anna: 

"This was very interesting and some of the technique is cool, but it's not for me. It's not the kind of couture I think of when I think of haute couture. It's probably more for artistic people...Maybe people who perform?"

Says Anna: 

"I like the shocking pink! That's very Schiaparelli. But is this couture? Couture should be feminine and beautiful. Not hard and weird. The dress attached to the earrings is beautiful. Is that a velvet silk? It looks like it. I probably wouldn't wear it as intended, though. I'm actually known for that—for wearing dresses the wrong way. Sometimes I'll wear something backwards because I don't like part of it. Yes, the pink is nice."