There is a particular shade of red that stands out—it’s not too cool, not too warm. It radiates confidence, whether paired with your morning latte in a white cup on your way to work, on your wedding day, or anytime you want to make a statement without saying a word.
“Big Apple Red:” Suzi Weiss-Fischmann’s—the cofounder, brand ambassador, and creative visionary behind OPI Products—favorite shade of all of the iconic colors she’s created. (She also gave a nod to “I’m Not Really a Waitress,” her biography’s namesake, which was published last year.)
Source: 1st Lady of Colors
These are only two of the hundreds of quintessential shades that Suzi has created. “Bubble Bath,” “You Don’t Know Jacques!,” “Cajun Shrimp,” “Lincoln Park After Dark”—if these aren’t your go-to shades, you’ve probably heard someone talk about them and smiled at the clever names. (Admit it, you can almost picture the color of “Cajun Shrimp” even if you’ve never seen it.)
Before Suzi, nail polish was more straightforward, with shades like “Mauve 23” rather than daring names like “Taupe-less Beach.” Her journey began working at her brother-in-law’s dental supply company in LA after moving to the US at age 13. Spotting similarities between the chemistry of dentures and acrylic nails used in salons led to the birth of OPI.
“It was tough; I worked seven days a week,” Suzi recalled. “Starting from scratch, with roles ranging from bottle filling to invoicing—all tasks, big or small, were essential.”
The idea to revolutionize the nail industry struck Suzi while waiting in line at Starbucks. Inspired by the personalized coffee orders, she envisioned a similar experience for women in the beauty industry.
She witnessed how the customization of coffee at Starbucks made the experience personal and thought that the beauty industry needed to offer a similar level of personalization.
I only knew coffee was black coffee, and you put something white in it. And all the sudden I was standing in line and people started asking for foam, low foam, one shot, two shots, and I realized that there is an experience in coffee—it made drinking coffee and sitting in a cafe personal. It wasn’t just coffee, it was your coffee.
From that moment, nail polish became a form of personal expression for women, rather than just a mass-market product.
“Nail colors are such an amazing way to self-express. You can really show your personality and mood with the colors you’re wearing on your nails,” she said.
Each iconic shade was meticulously crafted with love. The final selection, among a dozen similar options, was based on Suzi’s intuition. Naming the shades involved a group effort of about six people deliberating for eight hours. The trends predicted the colors two years in advance for each season, drawing inspiration from different places and artists worldwide.
“We release seasonal collections twice a year inspired by geographical locations. At OPI, we love eating and traveling—in that order,” Suzi explained. “Our aim was to transform OPI into a lifestyle brand, transcending beyond just nail polish to be part of everyday experiences like driving a Mustang or enjoying music.”
Suzi’s aim is for women worldwide, regardless of age or background, to find a shade they love in each collection.
Nail colors are such an amazing way to self-express. You can really show your personality and mood with the colors you’re wearing on your nails.
“My muses were my daughter and my mom—women from age 10 to 90,” Suzi shared. “I wanted to cater to women of all ages because nail color is universal. You can wear it anywhere, whether at school or in the boardroom, allowing you to express any persona instantly by styling your nails.”
OPI’s evolution mirrors the transition in women’s lifestyles. With the rise of social media, OPI shifted from being an American brand to a global one when users showcased their nails online, influencing a surge in nail art.
“Our reach expanded to a global audience beyond just American women,” Suzi noted. “The growth of nail art owes much to social media, fueling and expanding the category extensively.”
Coming up in a male-dominated industry, Suzi faced unique challenges, especially during OPI’s inception decades ago.
“My greatest challenge was that the professional beauty industry was a man’s world, and just to be taken seriously was difficult. I still have my accent, and sometimes people thought I was a joke. I think to overcome some of those challenges you have to persevere,” Suzi said.
Her advice to her younger self? To have more self-confidence.
My greatest challenge was that the professional beauty industry was a man’s world, and just to be taken seriously was difficult. I still have my accent, and sometimes people thought I was a joke. I think to overcome some of those challenges you have to persevere.
While Suzi has perfected the at-home manicure, she shared some insider tips: apply a base coat, two coats of polish, and a top coat, paying extra attention to the nail tips to prevent chipping. She recommends applying an additional topcoat three days later for added shine and longevity. And if you want to emulate her style, go for two coats of “Big Apple Red.”
