NEW YORK, USA // One woman changed the world of nails. In 1989, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann began to make nails not only relevant, but exciting and fun when she created the first thirty OPI colors, including OPI Red, Malaga Wine and Coney Island Cotton Candy. Then, manicures were only for special occasions. Now, nails are the hottest new fashion accessory!
As co-founder & Artistic Directorof OPI Products Inc., the world leader in professional nail care, Suzi creates every OPI nail lacquer shade. She ignited the “dark nail” revolution with Lincoln Park After Dark (deep purple), was the first to add real diamond dust to nail lacquer, and pushed nail art into the fashion mainstream with Shatter by OPI.
She has composed thousands of iconic OPI colors and names including: You Don’t Know Jacques! (deep taupe), My Private Jet (shimmery black), Bubble Bath (soft pink) and Here Today Aragon Tomorrow (dark shimmering green). When she produced I’m Not Really a Waitress, a rich, shimmery red, it was heralded as the “best shade of red” by women across the globe. Allure inducted the lacquer into its Beauty Hall of Fame in 2011, having won Best Nail Polish awards more than nine times.
Known worldwide as “The First Lady of Nails,” Suzi is the go-to authority for beauty editors and fashion designers alike, regularly giving her thoughts on color and nails. She has been featured in numerous magazines, such as W, More, and Family Circle as well as on Today Show (NBC) and Nightline (ABC).
OPI colors are seen on the world’s most recognizable women: Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Reese Witherspoon, Madonna, Halle Berry, Gwen Stefani, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Anniston, Jane Lynch, Anna Paquin and the Kardashians, to name a few.
Born in Hungary, Suzi began her fascination with beauty at an early age. She cultivated her instinct for color and style in the New York City garment industry where she also attained a degree from Hunter College. Suzi’s passion for fashion translates into season after season of on-trend nail lacquer shades – and the reason women around the world love OPI.
Today, Suzi is revolutionizing the salon manicure with GelColor by OPI, a professionally applied, LED-cured gel system available in OPI’s iconic nail lacquer shades. Offered only in salons, the fast application takes the same time as a traditional manicure or pedicure, while delivering instantly dry nails and OPI color that lasts for weeks.
“This is the era for nails. Gone are the days of wearing only seasonal trend colors, such as light or bright in the summer, and darker as the weather gets colder. Now, color, shape and texture of all varieties are being embraced. Nothing is taboo for nails!” exclaims Suzi.
Suzi lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two teenage children.