Anine Bing on Her Work Uniform and the Book Every Creative Needs to Read

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Creativity comes in many forms for Anine Bing. She may be known for her ultrapopular clothing label, but she actually got her start in a band—and music is finding its way back into her life more than a decade later.

“Before my clothing brand, I was in a band called Kill Your Darlings,” Bing tells Glamour. “I haven’t made music for all these years because I’ve been busy building the company. But this past year I started writing music again, and it’s kind of been my therapy and my little joy to do on the side. Another creative outlet for me.”

Music may have taken a back seat to fashion for Bing, but it’s always been present in her namesake clothing line. The Denmark-born designer launched Anine Bing in 2012, focusing on small collections that blended sharp Scandi sensibility with the edge of an LA rocker. And while her pieces—from tailored blazers to logo sweatshirts—are highly coveted on their own, her personal style and home life in Montecito, California, are equally aspirational. Case in point: Anine Bing, the person, has double the Instagram following of Anine Bing, the brand. Then there’s TikTok, where the hashtag #aninebing has amassed more than 42 million views.

Now the designer is expanding her empire as the first global Scandi brand advisor to Danish skin care brand Ole Henriksen, whose products she’s used for decades.

“When I moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago, I remember getting my first facial at Ole Henriksen’s spa, and it was such a magical experience. And ever since then I’ve been using his products,” she says.

Bing is loyal to her skin care routine, as she is to her wardrobe and more of her daily habits. In the latest installment of Glamour’s Doing the Work series, Bing opens up about her daily routine—from her busy mornings to her sauna-filled evenings—plus her work uniform.

Glamour: What’s your typical morning routine like?

Anine Bing: Gosh, I wish it was, like, meditation. But I get ready really quick, take a shower, get ready, get the kids ready for school, lunch boxes. I check my phone, which I probably shouldn’t do that early in the morning, to see what came in from Europe and New York while I was sleeping. It’s often pretty busy mornings.

You’re huge on social media. Do you have a personal social media philosophy?

“Be true, be you.” That’s my mantra in life. I love photography. I have a Leica camera that I shoot all my content on, and I love black-and-white timeless pictures. I really just try to show everybody a glimpse into my life: It could be from the design studio; I also am making music again; my favorite beauty products. I don’t feel any pressure. And then the brand, of course, has its own Instagram that shares all the products, and the bigger picture for the brand.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I think it was from my husband when we started the business together 12 years ago. He told me it was important to know every aspect of the business, because you hire a team and have a better understanding of what everybody is doing. So in the beginning we packed all the orders, did customer service, designed the clothes. We did everything. Today with over 200 employees, I have a better understanding of what each of them are doing. So I think it is to get your hands dirty and do the hard work and build from there.

What are some of the beauty products you use every day?

I wash my face every day with the OleHenriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. So the cleanser is definitely a favorite in the morning. Then I also love the Strength Peptide Boost Moisturizer. I use that morning and night. Sometimes I do the Cold Plunge Mask if I wake up tired and I really want to get my skin glowing and going. And then always an eye cream.

OleHenriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser

OleHenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

OleHenriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask

OleHenriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Brightening Eye Crème

What was the first moment in your career when you felt like you’d made it?

I feel like this past year, having Kate Moss as the face of the brand. I know that is 11 years into the brand—I’m sure there have been other moments—but this past year has been so huge for the brand and for me personally, so to have Kate Moss was such a milestone.

Do you have a work uniform?

I’m all about uniform dressing. When I know I have a busy day, I’ll put on a good pair of denim, white T-shirt, and a blazer, and I feel like the best version of myself. Maybe I’ll put on a pair of pumps or flats. But a good blazer is perfect for any occasion.

What is the last great book you read?

I’m currently reading a really great book. It’s called The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Especially for creative people, or for anybody, I feel like this is such a great book. But for me as a creative person, I feel that he gets me and our way of thinking and doing. It’s really beautiful, and every page has something inspiring to say.

“The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin

What’s a low-stakes treat you like to indulge in at the end of a long day?

My husband just built a sauna. I’m obsessed with it. We started doing it as a daily routine. We start in the sauna, then in the cold plunge, then back in the sauna. It’s so nice after a stressful, long day.