OPI AND KERRY WASHINGTON REUNITE TO CELEBRATE OPI’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

FEB 2, 2021 - OPI, the world’s number one salon nail care brand, has announced that actress, producer, director and activist Kerry Washington will serve as brand ambassador for the company’s 40th anniversary this year. Washington returns to OPI where she previously served as the brand’s first ever Creative Ambassador in 2016. In this role, Washington collaborated with OPI co-founder Suzi Weiss-Fischmann to create the “Washington D.C.” collection

Throughout all of 2021, OPI will spotlight 40 of the brand's most iconic shades. To no surprise among the top shades is Washington’s previously co-created shade “We the Female” a commanding red nail lacquer that was part of the previous collaboration.

“We are delighted that Kerry is reprising her role as brand ambassador during our anniversary year,” said Weiss-Fischmann. “She is a woman of style and substance who is fierce in everything she undertakes, from acting to activism.” Washington is a Primetime Emmy® Award winner and Emmy®- and Golden Globe®- nominee who has been honored five times with the NAACP Image Award. In 2014 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and is one of the co-founders of TIME’s UP.

“It is always inspiring to work with Suzi, one of the first female co-founders of a major beauty company,” said Washington. “She may be known as the 'First Lady of Nails'”, but she is also a true champion of women’s causes – one whose impact far transcends her own industry.”

Founded in 1981, OPI originated as a dental supply company during the acrylic nails movement of the ‘80s. Realizing dentures and artificial nail extensions shared a similar chemistry, co-founders and in-laws George Schaeffer and Weiss-Fischmann saw an opening in the market and seized it. OPI began dropping off the “rubber-band special” at every salon on Ventura Blvd. in Los Angeles. A jar of powder, liquid and primer – rubber-banded together – became the OPI Traditional Acrylic System and was a huge hit, establishing the brand’s roots in the professional nail industry. OPI then took its products to consumers with the launch of 30 groundbreaking Nail Lacquer shades. With its famous bottle, incredible colors, high-quality formula and unique names, OPI revolutionized the nail care industry. Some of these original shades – Alpine Snow, OPI Red, Malaga Wine – became so iconic they are still sold today. They are also among 40 legendary OPI shades that will be spotlighted throughout the 40th anniversary celebration.

Today, OPI’s iconic, trend-setting shades and seasonal collections feature just-off-the-catwalk colors inspired by compelling destinations across the U.S. and the globe. OPI is known for creative partnerships with celebrities, pop culture phenoms, new motion picture releases, and like-minded classic brands. Available formulas include Nail Lacquer, Gel Color, and Powder Perfection.

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Nail Lacquers retail for $10.50 USD each and Infinite Shine colors will retail for $13.00 USD each at Professional Salons. GelColor is an in-salon professional service only. OPI is guaranteed only when purchased through authorized professional beauty outlets select retailers. For more information, visit OPI.com. Follow along @OPI on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS!

As the number one salon brand worldwide, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. With exceptional formulas, fashionable colors, and iconic names, OPI’s heavily pigmented lacquers are super-rich, long lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. When used in a professional service, color can last up to seven days. OPI nail lacquer is available in more than 200 shades. OPI Infinite Shine is a no-light three-step long wear lacquer system offering long-wear, high-shine and ease of application and removal. There are now more than 150 shades in the Infinite Shine collection. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items including OPI GelColor (available in more than 140 shades that match their iconic OPI lacquer counterparts) with up to three-week wear, nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics. OPI is guaranteed only when purchased through authorized professional beauty outlets and prestige stores. For more information, please visit OPI.com. Follow OPI on Instagram @OPI, on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and go to OPI on Facebook to become a fan.

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders. Further information about the Wella Company can be found here: www.wellacompany.com.