The Anna Sui Spring 2019 cosmetics collection is as dreamy, unique, and bold as the fashion house’s ready-to-wear clothing. Recently, I visited the Anna Sui showroom in the Garment District of New York City. Just when I got off the elevator to the 11th floor of the building, there was the designer herself with her signature blunt bangs, jet black mid-length hair, and a glam outfit from head-to-toe.
In the purple-painted hallway, there were framed photos of models, stained glass chandeliers, and multi-colored flower bouquets all around. Above the door entrance, was a butterfly motif sign that read, “Anna Sui, New York, Est. 1981.” In other words, welcome to the wonderland of fashion.
A Visit to the Anna Sui Showroom
The garment racks that filled the showroom could make even a minimalist want to convert. Not that I am one, but the heart of the matter is that here, more is MORE. Color! Prints! Textures! Throughout Anna Sui’s collections, the ongoing theme of music, photography, and art has played a great role. And with each launch comes a significant amount of research beforehand, a huge part of her creative process.
The designer was born in Detroit to Chinese immigrants. Though the years, her career is often described as a “classic American success story.” Well, classic with a twist. After graduating from the Parsons School of Design, Anna held design roles and worked as a stylist collaborating with her friend, photographer Steven Meisel, before building her business from the ground up.
With the early support of Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and Evan Linda Evangelista, among others, her work and talent has gained recognition throughout the years and continues to evolve with the times.
“Anna is a designer, but I think of her an artist first. She truly is an artist.”
—AMY DOUGHERTY, DIRECTOR OF SALES AT ANNA SUI
“Fashion is supposed to be fun and doesn’t have to be so serious. I think the reason why Anna has had such a long career is that she really stays true to the DNA of her brand,” says Amy Dougherty, director of sales at Anna Sui.
“Her designs are timeless and ageless. We used to have an assistant who was 23 years old and an accountant who was 80 years old. They had on the same dress one day and both looked spectacular in it, wearing it in their own way.”
That’s also the goal for the Anna Sui Cosmetics: to offer something fun and fitting for every age.
3 Favorites from Anna Sui Cosmetics “Paint a Picture” Collection
Large Makeup Palette
This palette (similar one here) couldn’t be more adorable, and it’s also customizable. The black lacquered design resembles an ornate handbag and the inside has a black-and-white illustration of Anna’s own room.
It’s made to fit 10 colors for eyes, face, and lips (which come separately in magnetic circular circles). My best friend Greivy helped me pick out my shades. Pretty much, we tried everything in sight at the Anna Sui Cosmetics showroom! We went for a very mystical range with the Satin Pearl Eye and Face Color in White, Smoky, Aqua, Wisteria, Peach, Maple, and Cream.
What I love about the formula of these is the high pigmentation that lasts all day. The pearl base gives your skin a luminous highlight in a quick swipe.
And of course, you can always change the refills. Mix and match—have fun with it!
Fairy Flower Lipstick
What stands out about these lipsticks are the bullets, which cleverly resembles a rose. It’s so beautiful that I didn’t want to smudge it for this photo so I twisted the lipstick (in the Warm Rose shade) up and applied it from the side. Ranging from light to dark shades, these lipsticks are ultra-moisturizing.
It’s infused with key ingredients of Rosa canina fruit extract and oil, as well as peach and macadamia ternifolia seed oils.
My usual lip colors are plums and reds, but I was drawn to this pink for spring. Plus, the lipstick case is a piece of art in itself! The black cap—topped with a butterfly design—is decorated in the brand’s iconic multi-colored floral print.
Eyeliner
This eyeliner isn’t like anything else. First, let’s talk about the brush. It’s shaped like a wing and designed for versatile use.
Think of it as art on canvas. Together with the glossy ink (which comes in black and deep blue), you can create a graphic line with one stroke. Or go all-out Twiggy style and draw on eyelashes by gently pressing the brush onto your eyelids. The glossy ink contains a silicone-based film-forming ingredient that holds up for long wear yet is flexible and soft for the delicate eye area. I still need to practice using this eyeliner!
The beauty is that it’s not about getting a perfect precise line—in fact, a little imperfection can add a bit of character and quirkiness.
In the collection, there’s also a range of creamy eye colors, another eyeliner (with a circle-shaped brush and black ink), mini loose powder, and the cutest lip balm housed in a Dolly Easter egg.
In Anna Sui’s world, there is no such thing as trends. There are just new interpretations of classics that can be worn indefinitely. Timeless and ageless.
Makeup by Anna Sui Cosmetics
Photographs by David Bowman in Gramercy Park, New York.
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