09 Jun 2026 Partners in Preservation: Anh Vu Sawyer and Philip Sawyer, Anh55
Historic Boston’s newest Partner in Preservation is Anh55, a Boston-based atelier dedicated to beautifully designed and ethically crafted clothing. Here, Anh and Philip tell us what preservation means to them and why they have partnered with HBI to save Boston’s historic spaces and places. But first, learn some more about the founders of Anh55 below:
“Together for nearly half a century, Anh and Philip Sawyer are living proof that opposites don’t just attract – they create. Their designs, like themselves, occupy entirely different worlds: Anh’s work moves through wonder, curiosity, and the beauty of imperfection; Philip’s is exacting, sculptural, the kind that makes a person look better than themselves. Yet side by side, they complete each other. Anh founded Anh55 on the belief that a garment should always be flattering and also carry a story. Educated at MIT and Harvard, she brings the precision of enterprise leadership and the purpose of nonprofit work into a Boston-made atelier, releasing just three to five limited-edition designs each year. Every piece is made in Boston, with label tags handmade by artisan refugees in camps where her collaborations began. Philip is a bespoke designer and RISD faculty member with over a decade of teaching patternmaking and couture construction. Philip brings exacting craft and quiet artistry to every commission. His work is rooted in the tradition of fine tailoring: precise, considered, and made entirely in Boston for the person standing in front of him.”
1) What does preservation mean to your organization and your commitment to Boston?
At Anh55, preservation is both material and human, the sustaining of craftsmanship, knowledge, and care in how things are made. Boston is a city known for excellence, including in historic preservation, and we strive to reflect that standard in our work. By producing locally and engaging communities shaped by resilience and migration, we see preservation as a living practice that honors the past while creating meaningful opportunities today.
2) How does working with Historic Boston Inc. (HBI) further your own work?
Working with Historic Boston Inc. reinforces our belief that preservation should be visible and lived. HBI’s work protecting Boston’s historic spaces aligns with our commitment to preserving the craft and human skill that give those spaces meaning. Together, we help broaden the understanding of preservation, as something we not only protect, but continue to create with intention.
Anh and Philip recently donated 3 custom pieces to support Historic Boston Inc.’s fundraising efforts. Learn more about our 2026 Preservation Campaign here.
Thank you for your generosity Anh and Philip!
Learn more about Anh55’s Open Atelier exhibition on June 20th here!