Anna Sui’s 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. 

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

“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.”

“This is my favorite color nail polish.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

“I love 19th century papier-mâché. These chairs are inlaid with mother of pearl. 1stDibs has several versions for sale.”

“My favorite shoe of the moment.”