Nails: A Chat with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, articles, fashion beauty

Nails: A Chat with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann

by Mariève Inoue
published July 27, 2011

rating: (16 Ratings)

Q+A with OPI’s Artistic Director
Whether you’re browsing nail polishes at the salon, shopping for makeup at Sephora, or running errands at a mass retailer, when it comes to nail colour, OPI is everywhere you turn. We had the chance to chat with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Executive VP & Artistic Director of OPI Products Inc while in Toronto for the Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors media preview; read on for her take on this fall’s nail trends, the nail polish creation process, and more!

What trends can we expect to see for nails this fall?

“Lots of greyish tones, greens, burgundy colours, but also glitter. Glitter is like wearing jewellery on your nails. I use fine glitters that can really go from day to night. It’s not like wearing something chunky: it’s understated elegance that really can look casual or great with something for the evening.”

Where do you draw your inspiration from when you’re researching colours and finishes?

“My inspiration starts very far out: I start with trend books from Paris and Milan, usually two years ahead of time. It really predicts colours and what society wants. Food, music, and I really try to listen to everything and I watch people, because everything gives me inspiration, but the average woman is my muse.”

How long of a process is it to create a new line of nail polishes?

“About six months. I’m always thinking; when I think of a colour, I think “this will be for my Nicole line” or “this will be for the OPI line”. So it’s kind of nice to make sure that colours that I like or something I created with glitter or different micas [coloured or transparent minerals] always find the right home. That’s the key!”

How is Nicole by OPI different from OPI?

“The quality of the brand is in both. The consumer looks for OPI because she knows she will get quality. Nicole by OPI is a bit edgier, maybe a little bit trendier. I go a bit broader and a little bit more daring when I design the shades. OPI skews a little bit more towards conservative.”

Quick Qs

If you hadn’t been Artistic Director of OPI, what would you have been? ”I started out in the fashion industry in New York, in the garment business, so I think it would have something to do with fashion.”

How often do you change your nail colour? “For me it could be on a daily basis, depending on the events that I attend. Otherwise, when I’m creating colours, there’s a different colour on each of my nails. I always test everything myself!”

Do you do your nails yourself? “No. We have nail technicians at OPI and they do my nails, although I’m horrible: everybody yells at me because I never sit still!”

Do your toenails and fingernails match? “They don’t match, but they do need to coordinate. For the summer, if you’re wearing a very bold colour like yellow, I love that they would match. I don’t think you need to wear any jewellery if you wear yellow with gladiator sandals. It’s a great accessory. But normally I say, “Coordinate. Don’t wear something that clashes.””

Tag(s): beauty, nails, OPI, Nicole by OPI, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann