Nailympia COMPETITION NEWS

Immerse in competition highlights, interviews & points to note from the Nailympia realm, with its global director, Alex Fox

WINNER INTERVIEW

Get to know Ireland’s Katarzyna Kruszynska, winner of the first Americas Cup 2023.

In the competitive world, Katarzyna (Kate) Kruszynska has achieved the highest championship title in Ireland: Irish National Nail Champion. She’s also a multiple award winner in nail styling competitions all over the world, and represented Ireland in Mexico, Germany, Orlando, Texas and Ohio in 2023, winning 40 medals and trophies.

“Last year, I achieved the Nailympia Americas Cup, the Nailympia Premiere Cup, Nailympia Art Winner of Winners and Nailympia Individual Top Scorer,” enthuses Kate. “The success of my business was recognised in 2019 with the Best Established Business award, courtesy of the Local Enterprise Office.”

Born and raised in Poland, Kate worked as a police officer in a traffic accident department for a number of years before deciding to follow her heart and move to Ireland. In 2010, nails became her full-time job, and she began her journey from a small nail table in the corner of her kitchen, where she would often sit in tears, believing she wasn’t good enough. However, with the support of her family and friends, Kate opened a nail bar in 2015.

“Alongside Beauty Vision Ltd, I have an accredited training centre, and am the creator and owner of Kohana Professional,” she shares. “Kohana is my brand of professional beauty products for nails, lashes and eyebrows. In Japanese, Kohana means ‘little flower’, but it has two other meanings that are personal to me: I love Walt Disney productions, and in the movie Lilo & Stitch, I heard that ‘ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten’.” Using ‘K’ for Kate and ‘Ohana’ for family, the Kohana name was coined. “The other very special meaning with Kohana is that in the Polish language, Kohana means ‘loved one’, which is perfect for my brand, because everyone involved or using the products is cherished.

Katarzyna Kruszynska receiving the first Americas Cup from Nailympia Mexico host, Dafne Fernandez.

“Behind the business, I’m a happy wife, and mother to three wonderful children. I am an animal lover, with two dogs and a cat, and I love travelling and trying different foods. I’m passionate about a fit and healthy lifestyle.

“I share my work and knowledge on social media to help others, and love this element of my work,” Kate reveals. “I started posting on social media platforms three years ago, and since then I’ve gained over 60,000 followers. I post nail, beauty and business content.

“Sharing my creativity with others, and being able to meet other nail enthusiasts through the world of social media, is exciting. I enjoy teaching people who are also passionate about this line of work, and I pride myself on offering a place in which somewhere can learn new skills in a great atmosphere. I’m so thankful for the life this business has given me. Not everyone can say that they love their job, but I can.”

Instagram: @beautyvision_ireland

MEET STEFANIE LO RE

Host of Nailympia Germany 22-24 March 2024, Beauty Düsseldorf

Instagram: @nailympia.germany & @stefanie.lo_re

@sni_signature_nail_int

Nailympia’s concept always served me well when I was a competitor. After many national championships, I dared to register for the London heat and I’m so pleased I did. Not only did I meet many new colleagues, but I learned a lot as a nail designer through discussions and observations. The more I participated, the better I performed, and being judged by so many experts at an international level gave me the motivation to keep training in order to attain more points at the next competition.

Nailympia is one of the most prestigious championships in the world. Its continued expansion, and the work of Alex Fox, means that the competition has considerable reach, and it is unique in that its categories are adapted to each location.

Nail professionals from across the globe are invited to participate via online and arena competitions, and there is something for everyone. When Signature Nail International, together with Alex Fox and trade show organisation, Messe Düsseldorf, were given the chance to bring Nailympia Germany to life, it offered a new challenge for me, as a former competitor, judge and international trainer. I am constantly seeking opportunities for nail designers so I can help make their dreams come true, and Nailympia is the quickest way to get the best results in this field. Championships are also excellent training for everyday salon work. Through competing, nail techs increase their speed, precision and efficiency and increase their circle of colleagues.

“I am constantly seeking opportunities for nail designers so I can help make their dreams come true.”

During my time as a competitor, I was lucky to get to know Tom Holcomb, David Fowler, Tom Bachik, Karin Ström, Trang Nuygen and many other prolific nail designers. Seeing their work and competing alongside them was an honour and helped me on many levels in the industry. Friendships were developed and ideas exchanged, products were tested during the championships, and a lot of fun ensued. We reached our limits through diligence, sacrifice, hard work and discipline, and overcame them to break new ground. Giving up was not an option, because one thing was clear to all of us: you’re always learning, and the experience can’t be taken away from you. We benefitted from score sheets and subsequent discussions with judges and other competitors. The work after each competition was analysed, and we were given the motivation to continue training on returning home.

In the salon, you train in speed and rhythm. In a competition, you train in precision and consistency. You can’t lose; you can only win – and I learned that through Nailympia. Every profession offers growth, but it depends on what you make of it. Do you stop or do you keep going? I believe that no one should be afraid to compete. I’m thankful for Nailympia, because there weren’t really many competitions at its level when I was on the arena floor. I’m very happy to be on the other side of the event, organising Nailympia Germany.

Meet the judges & organiser teams for Nailympia Germany 2024

Organiser: Stefanie Lo Re Germany/Italy

Global director: Alex Fox UK

Scoring manager: Helena Biggs UK

Alisha Rimando USA

Anneke van de Sar The Netherlands

Liesbeth van Langelaan The Netherlands

Zrinka Vuksan – Croatia/Canada

Natalie Hofmann Switzerland/ Germany

Ilse Vos Germany/ Belgium

Linn Himberg-Larsen Norway

Coralia Decsi Romania

Dafne Fernandez Mexico

Tamara Bhagoe The Netherlands

Gabrielle Kainz Austria

Erika Mogyorosi Romania/ Hungary

Ana Mrnjavac Germany/Croatia

Anna Pagel Germany/Poland

Emma Harris Ireland

Jessica Djohar Germany

Silke Kohlgruber Germany

DID YOU KNOW?

Arena registration for Nailympia Germany closes 29 February 2024. www.nailympia.de

For more information about Nailympia Competitions including how to enter, visit www.nailympia.com
Facebook: /Nailympia
Instagram: @nailympiacompetitions