How do those awesome shades of nail lacquer get their names? I ask this question every time I get a manicure and/or pedicure? While literate I’m middle-aged so the fact that I spend the effort to read the small print at the bottom of the bottles of nail polish is a testament to the skill taken to give them their names.
Curious, I asked Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP and Artistic Director about the OPI naming process and got this in response.
1. Who gets to name the colors of the nail polishes? How do you come up with these names?
There is a group of six people, including myself, who go behind closed doors for 6-8 hours to brainstorm and decide upon new names for the lacquers. For destination-based collections, which are launched twice a year, the group will play upon unique, interesting, or noteworthy elements from the country or city in question to come up with literally hundreds of names for consideration.
2. Is naming lacquers as fun a job as it sounds?
Absolutely, yes! OPI lacquer names are special; women are always turning over OPI bottles to see which names catch their attention. When picking between two hues, a woman might choose the one with the name that appeals most, whether it makes her laugh, or reminds her of a special time in her life. Other names allow women to travel with OPI to places they might only ever imagine, calling to mind exotic locations that leave women feeling confident and sexy.
3. What is the hottest color for fall and holiday seasons 2011?
This year, red will appear as an accent shade to add a bright pop of richly-pigmented color; try Color to Diner for from OPI’s Touring America collection for Fall/Winter 2011. Also, the neutral trend that started earlier this year with nudes, tans and grey will expand to include shades of taupe and khaki; I recommend A-Taupe the Space Needle or Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window, also from the Touring America collection.
For more information on OPI and their bitchin’ names: www.OPI.com