Fashion & Nails in motion

Image courtesy of the V&A Museum.

Join LILLY DELMAGE backstage at the V&A Museum’s Fashion in Motion X Orange Culture show, where nails by Glitterbels paid a prominent role

Model, Ben J, in his first look of the show.

Image courtesy of the V&A Museum.

Model, Elizabeth Ifeany.

Image courtesy of the V&A Museum.

London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), famed for art, design and performance, chose to spotlight the Orange Culture brand for its Fashion in Motion show series. Aiming to ‘bring the catwalk experience to a wider audience’, the V&A selects fashion designers three times per year to feature in the popular programme: a string of free, live fashion events hosted within the distinguished South Kensington building.

Orange Culture, a fashion brand labelled as a ‘movement’, is renowned for its universal silhouettes. The garments are made from ethically sourced materials from Nigerian fabric makers, paying homage to the heritage of creative director, Adebayo Oke-Lawal.

Scratch was contacted by a member of the production team in July to recommend nail stylists for the event on 16 August, to help bring Adebayo’s vision for his spring/summer 2025 collection to life. Fresh from winning the Nail Team of the Year title at the Scratch Stars Awards 2024, the Glitterbels team was excited to be put forward, and discussions took place to determine nail shapes, shades and styles for 21 models.

Models wore 24 fashion looks, inspired by ‘the battle for acceptance faced by migrants settling in a new country’. Drawing on themes of nostalgia, attached to the creative director’s memories of his childhood garden, the collection is influenced by nature, owing to its ability to make Adebayo feel ‘at home’ when abroad. “When I’m travelling, memories of the sun shining, the sounds of birds, the smell of grass and the warmth of family remind me of home – no matter where I am,” the designer shares.

Adebayo Oke-Lawal walks the runway at the end of the show.

Image courtesy of the V&A Museum.

Nature was seamlessly integrated into the show, with two large, orange flowers positioned either side of the runway. This area was dimly lit by warm, sunset-style lighting: a nod to the homely warmth evoked by the outdoors.

BACKSTAGE ENTRY GRANTED: THE BEAUTY ROOM

Lilly Delmage

Backstage pass in hand, I entered the room where hair, make-up and nail artisans were busily crafting looks for the show. The grand space boasted high, painted ceilings overlooking a tiered seating area, which faced a stage-turned-beauty floor, lit by bright spotlights. Models were surrounded by creative maestros: a hair artist behind them, make-up artist in front and member of the Glitterbels nail team on the floor beside them.

Despite the backstage hustle and bustle, which is commonly seen at fashion shows, the atmosphere remained calm. The beauty professionals were busy with their craft, chatting to the models, as the different beauty offerings came together in harmony.

Adebayo Oke-Lawal talking to model, Pritanka S, backstage.

Models backstage.

CALL SHEET

9.25am: Call time

11.30am: Rehearsal

1.00pm: Show 1

3.00pm: Show 2

5.00pm: Show 3

8.00pm: Show 4

Scan for a behind-the-scenes rundown of the fashion show, including words from Adebayo Oke-Lawal and lead hair stylist, Nicole Iroh

CATWALK OMB-RÉADY NAILS

The Glitterbels team was led by head of education, Charli Jepson, and featured the talents of Jennie Nippard, deputy head of education; educators, Danielle Brindley and Sophie Howard, and Glitterbels director & co-founder, Annabel Maginnis. Supported on social media by Ebony Shepherd, the team came armed with The Glitterbels team, photographed by Ebony Shepherd. pre-prepared press-on nails. The looks desired by Adebayo Oke-Lawal were orange ombré nails with a matte finish: stiletto-shaped for female models, and short and square for male models.

Annabel Maginnis

“We used two layers of Glitterbels Brush on Builder Gel in Cotton Candy, followed by Glitterbels Coloured Acrylic Powder in Senorita as a pigment,” shares Annabel Maginnis. “We pressed the shade at the end of the nail before applying Glitterbels Gel Basecoat on top, repeating the process for added vibrancy.”

Annabel Maginnis applying stiletto-shaped nails to a female model. Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year and Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2024, Danielle Brindley, commented on a collaborative Instagram post of Adebayo Oke-Lawal (@theorangenerd) and Orange Culture (@orangecultureng) to share her experience being a nail artist for the event. She wrote: “I had the best day helping to create beautiful nails for your show. Your work is immense – it made me smile so much and also cry! The textures, the colours and the day: such good vibes!”