Anna Sui’s True Colors: Her Perfect Red Lipstick, Green Nail Polish and Lavender Lingerie

Anna Sui is obsessed with “crazy mixes,” like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple-meets-grunge. That was one of the mashups in her fall collection, shown at the Strand bookstore and applauded by longtime friends and front-row fixtures including Debbie Harry, Marc Jacobs, Sofia Coppola and her husband, Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars.

While Sui’s inspirations change with the seasons, her gorgeously patterned vintage-punk-bohemian aesthetic is unmistakable. So is her personal style, from her signature makeup look and accessories to her chinoiserie-influenced home décor. Here, the Detroit-born New Yorker shares with Alexa her favorite lip and nail colors, jeweled frog bracelet and 19th century papier-mâché chairs.

FAVORITE LIP COLOR: Anna Sui Ring Rouge

“Inspired by vintage Bakelite rings that I wear, 400 True Red is my favorite color.”

ANNA SUI

FAVORITE SKIVVIES: Anna Sui x Heaven by Marc Jacobs Limited Edition Lingerie Set

“This was recreated from the Spring 2004 collection. It was worn by Daria Werbowy on the runway and photographed by Michael Thompson on Jessica Simpson for the April 2004 issue of Allure.”

ANNA SUI

FAVORITE POLISH: Anna Sui Limited Edition Nail Polish

“This is my favorite color nail polish.”

ANNA SUI

FAVORITE FLUSH: Anna Sui Black-Cream Blush

“It starts off black and blends to a light red on any skin tone.”

ANNA SUI

FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCTS: R + Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo + Conditioner Set

“Garren has done every Anna Sui fashion show since the first one in 1991. This is the best shampoo and conditioner.”

R + CO

FAVORITE STOCKINGS: We Love Colors Nylon/Lycra Fishnets

“My favorite fishnets ever. They come in over 40 colors.”

WE LOVE COLOR

FAVORITE PONYTAIL HOLDER: Sandy Liang Flower Power 2.0

“The bigger the better for scrunchies this season! Sandy leads the trend.”

SANDY LIANG

FAVORITE HAIR ACCESSORY: Medusa’s Heirlooms Sweetheart Jaw Clip

“Kathryn Hausman creates the most beautiful hair accessories! The collection has an antique feel and is molded from handmade plastics.”

MEDUSA HEIRLOOMS

FAVORITE FLOWERS: Bear Creek Farm Dahlias

“The dahlias are 6-8 inches in diameter. My favorites are the Café au Lait Rosé, Yarra Falls Tuber, and the Labyrinth Tuber.“

BEAR CREEK FARM

FAVORITE CARPET: Walter Nichols Antique Art Deco Chinese Rug

“Made from 1910-1950, Walter Nichols was the famous producer. I love the asymmetrical patterns of flowers, trees and birds in shades of mauve and pink on green and aqua.”

1STDIBS

FAVORITE TRINKET DISH: John Derian Blue White Tulip Coaster

 

Courtesy of John Derian

“My favorite pattern is the tulip. I have several and use them for coins, paper clips and trinkets.”

JOHN DERIAN

FAVORITE TEXTILE ANIMAL: B. Viz Designs Embroidered Silk Velvet Animal

“Anke Dreschel makes elephants, giraffes, penguins, bunnies, ponies and birds, all in beautiful colors of silk velvet. John Derian ordered the lion in purple for me.”

B. VIZ DESIGNS

FAVORITE WRIST CANDY: David Webb Frog Bracelet

“I love the David Webb animal bracelets. The black one is vintage but David Webb still makes it in green.”

DAVID WEBB