June 8, 1999
Web posted at: 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT)

(CNN) -- The world of Anna Sui is flamboyant, sometimes funky and always fun. So it makes sense that her makeup line reflects that.

The New York designer loves vintage clothes, glam-rock, hippy chic and Americana. She says she approaches cosmetics the same way she approaches clothing.

"I really wanted to bring magic and fun back to cosmetics," Sui says. "I mean that's always been my attraction with cosmetics: color, texture, sparkle, glitter and all the things that make you kind of different or special."

As part of her spring/summer collection, Sui has created 21 lipstick colors, including four with hologram glitter, as well as 29 eye shadows and four eye glosses. She says the beauty of the collection is that it's all interchangeable.

"What's great about these products is that you can use any one of these anywhere on the face. We have 51 colors in nail polish -- 20 of which are purplish (Sui's favorite color) and more than half of them are glitter. So I mean it's more a fun ... way of putting together a cosmetic collection," Sui says.

According to the designer, the makeup can work for day or evening.

"I think it's just a matter of how you apply it. It can be just a touch for daytime, or you can make it much more dramatic for evening."

The packaging also plays into Sui's nostalgic world.

"All my life I've saved containers that I liked, boxes that I liked, so I wanted boxes that you wouldn't dare to throw away. We used my tins for inspiration. I collect tea tins or candy tins that have black backgrounds and colored flowers."

Anna Sui says she finds comfort and inspiration in the fashion of times gone by.

"I think we learn from the past, and we're inspired by the past. I think there's nothing wrong in looking back."

CNN Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch contributed to this report.