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| Photography by Magdalena Golembiewska |
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| Backstage image courtesy of Pebbles Aiken |
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| Backstage photography by Lucas Seidenfaden |
Look forward to a season of nail colour come Spring Summer 2012, as vivid hues take centre stage. Last week, London had something of an affair with nails, as riotous colour and in-your-face brights replaced Winters obsession with gritty metallics. At Sado, natural-look nails came with multi-coloured tips, in a vibrant rethink of the classic French manicure, while at Dans La Vie peach bases were lifted with vibrant silver tips.
“Finally, bright colour is back for nails”, nail artist Myrdith Leon McCormack confirmed backstage at VFS. She’d just arrived from New York, having worked on the nails for designers including Vera Wang, Nicole Farhi and Donna Karan (more commonly famed for an understated approach to beauty) “Nails have always been an important accessory, but for a while it got really boring – clear, nudes, sheers,” she continued. “But I think that icons like Beyonce and Lady Gaga have really challenged this over the last few seasons.” And according to Myrdith, it’s not necessary to match your nails and toes. “I never bother! I like to keep my toes more neutral, and experiment with my hands. I’ve been known to change the colour on a day-to-day basis!”
For extreme nail affindicos, The Body Shop’s Wild Rose Targeted Hand Oil and Almond Nail and Cuticle Oil comes highly recommended. “All the models seem to love it” nail technician Pebbles Aikens revealed backstage at VFS, “The intense oil treatment hydrates and keeps nails in great condition – especially if you paint them a lot.”
If statement nails are de rigueur, you can’t get much more loud-and-proud than Minx, whose distinctive reflective pharohs gold finish was spotted on the catwalk at Ziad Gahnam, Deng Ho and FAD. “Deng Ho had originally planned red nails, but the gold just made perfect sense – and coordinated with his incredible gold shoes,” nail stylist Pebbles Aikens explained. “It was the no dry-concept and the flawless finish that got everyone intruiged,” Myrdith continued. “They work so well on the catwalk because they’re so dramatic!”
Metallics also made a big splash backstage (head make-up artist Lan Nguyen opted for the silver finish “everyone, and I mean everyone, has commented on them!” she laughed). The easy to use no dry concept allows a flawless finish (ideal for those who always end up with messy manicures!), and this season brand have added a range of prints and patterns to their signature reflective metallics – so pick and choose to suit your mood and style.
Text: Victoria Loomes
