9 mins
Runway ready NAILS
Travel around the world’s style capitals with Scratch & explore the spring/summer 2025 nail looks that dominated Fashion Week runways.
The Kate Barton SS25 show at New York Fashion Week, with nails by team Glitterbels.
Photo by Ebony Shepherd.
The spring/summer 2025 Fashion Week shows in London, New York, Paris and Milan have wrapped. Each city welcomed seasoned stylists, debut designers, models, celebrities and beauty maestros to showcasing fashion and beauty trends for the coming season. Creative visions were materialised through stage design, music, clothes, make-up and hair, with manicures playing a role in tying looks together. Grab your passport and get set to go on a fashion nail adventure with a roundup of nail styles to note from each location. First stop: London.
LONDON
SEASIDE SERENITY
Session stylist, Tyler Phoenix, was the tech behind the beachy manicures at the Di Petsa show. Sand was dusted over models’ fingertips to contrast with the brand’s signature wet-look finishes. The tech shared a photo of pre-prepared press-on nails, which featured The GelBottle Inc shades, Crème, Truffle, Dune and Chiffon.
The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Chiffon
& Truffle
£15.95 + VAT each www.thegelbottle.com
PRETTY PETALS
Session manicurist, Ama Quashie, created this 3D petal design for the Nensi Dojaka SS25 show, which featured lingerie-inspired designs with ruffled layers and pleated fabrics. The pastel colour palette was the perfect balance for daring, asymmetric cuts, and the floral nails projected femininity.
DROPS OF DELIGHT
Tyler Phoenix tapped into the embellishment trend for the Karoline Vitto SS25 show, using HONA’s Long Clear Almond SwiftTips, Pure Foundation builder gel in Naked and SuperShine Top Coat. To achieve the droplet effect, the tech used SuperShine with thread and Silver Bullet Cocktail Chrome Powder.
Photo by Ebony Shepherd for Glitterbels.
MIRROR, MIRROR
The Apujan London Fashion Week show saw chrome nails take over the runway courtesy of the Glitterbels team. The show, named ‘Mirror, Keys and Drink Me’, took inspiration from the magical and quirky world of Alice in Wonderland, influencing the chrome-finish manicures.
Magpie Beauty Gel Colour in Jazzy Jo
£10.95 + VAT www.magpiebeauty.co.uk
RAISED SWIRLS
Celebrity nail tech, Stephanie Staunton, came out of ‘Fashion Week retirement’ for the Helen Anthony SS25 show, creating nail designs to complement the structured suits, plaid patterns and pearl details recurring throughout the collection. The models wore raised swirl manicures, painted in a variety of Magpie Beauty Gel Colour shades: Georgia, Jazzy Jo, Black Betty, Plain Jane, Red Lobster, Choc Chip and Tropical Hibiscus.
FUN FACT
Stephanie and her team created over 600 press-on nails for the Helen Anthony SS25 show!
Scan for behind-the-scenes footage of Stephanie and her team.
STATEMENT MAKERS
Nail artist, Ella Vivii, led the nail team for the Sinead Gorey show, crafting enhancements that were pierced with jewellery. Base shades for the nails varied, and included hues from The GelBottle Inc’s aptly named London Bound Collection: Royal Stamp, Manor, Jet Black, Vanity, Daisy and Banana Split. Camilla Saunders, PR & brand ambassador manager for The GelBottle Inc, shares: “The nail shades were selected to bring Sinead Gorey’s bold and playful designs to life. The team crafted edgy, fashion-forward nails that perfectly matched the defiant spirit of the collection.”
The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Royal Stamp
£15.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com
PRESS PASS
NAME:
Lilly Delmage
PUBLICATION:
Scratch magazine
FASHION SHOW:
Huishan Zhang SS25
Télle Moi UltraStay Nail Polish in Sugar Glaze
£9.99 inc VAT www.tellemoi.co.uk
I headed to the Huishan Zhang SS25 London Fashion Week show in Oxford Circus, invited by lead nail artist, Janel Grant. The team used Télle Moi shades: See You Latté, Sugar Glaze and Matte Top Coat to create neutral manicures for 29 models.
Scratch’s Lilly with Janel Grant, backstage at Huishan Zhang.
BARELY THERE
Celebrity nail tech, Sylvie Macmillan, led nails for 16ARLINGTON, drawing inspiration from the sultry, sleek aesthetics of early 2000’s Versace runways. Using the CND Vinylux™ formula, the looks featured Sweet Cider, a warm, caramel hue and Gala Girl, topped with the CND Vinylux™ Gel-Like Effect Top Coat for a glossy, high-shine finish.
CND VINYLUX™ in Sweet Cider & Gala Girl £2.68 + VAT each www.sweetsquared.com
SWEET & CHIC
Luxury OPI manicurist, Sammy MacDonald, created soft, chic nail finishes for the Edeline Lee show using OPI shades: Salty Sweet Nothings, Glitter Mogul, Shimmer Takes All, Pearlcore, Gemini and I and Switch To Portrait Mode.
Scan to view Sammy’s behind-the-scenes show video.
BEADED BEAUTIES
Taking inspiration from thread tassels, this manicure by Ama Quashie for the Simone Rocha SS25 runway impressed onlooks. The dramatic nails were a fitting choice for the collection, which was inspired by carnations and featured swatches of black and dusky pink silky fabrics and embellishments.
Saffron created this manicure for musician, Vanessa Bedoret, featuring crystals in various sizes atop a ‘clean nail’.
EMBELLISHMENTS GALORE
Saffron Goddard was the lead manicurist for jewellery brand, Completedworks’, spring/summer 2025 showcase. She says of her experience: “It was different to other Fashion Week shows I’ve worked at, as there are usually multiple models – yet Completedworks used one model, a musician and an actress. I designed a look specifically for each to complement their outfits and jewellery. I loved that I was able to create three completely different styles that complemented one another. There was a randomness to the finished nails, but they were chic and timeless.”
JUNK NAILS
Junk nails have been gaining the interest of nail enthusiasts on social media, and nail pro, Ella Vivii, used inspiration from the highly embellished trend to create nail looks for the Chopova Lowena spring/summer 2025 show. Using Glitterbels products, she described the inspiration behind the manicures as ‘junk nails, western vibes and studs galore’.
PRESS PASS
NAME:
Rebecca Hitchon
PUBLICATION:
Scratch magazine
FASHION SHOW:
Leblon London SS25
Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish in Kiwi-Kini
£14.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com
Photos by Ebony Shepherd for Glitterbels.
Scratch’s Rebecca travelled to Chelsea for the Leblon London SS25 showcase, observing the Glitterbels team. Led by brand co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, pros applied almond-shaped ombré press-on nails to models, which were painted in a blend of Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish hues: pink-nude, You’re The One and pastel green, Kiwi-Kini.
TREND TALK
Camilla Saunders, PR & brand ambassador manager for The GelBottle Inc, shares three nail takeaways from London Fashion Week:
1. Bold and edgy: There is a trend towards daring, rebellious nail designs. Bright and contrasting shades are used to create unapologetically bold looks.
2. Ethereal and soft: Delicate and dreamlike nail looks, with soft, natural shades, create an ethereal feel. This trend emphasises goddess-inspired beauty with a touch of minimalism.
3. Regal and luxe: There is a growing trend toward opulent and rich colours that convey luxury and timeless looks.
“To prepare for client requests towards the spring/summer 2025 season, nail techs should practice a variety of techniques, from intricate designs using bold shades to delicate, minimal looks,” Camilla shares. “Clients often seek services that are in line with what’s hot in the fashion world, so familiarise yourself with upcoming colour trends to keep clients engaged, and attend courses or workshops to learn new nail art techniques.”
GLOBETROTTING: Fashion Weeks
Fellow fashion hotspots, New York, Paris and Milan, hosted their retrospective Fashion Weeks, boasting a series of nail looks to mark the spring/summer 2025 season. Take a look at some noteworthy styles from each location…
NEW YORK
MULTI-COLOURED PASTELS
Using the Salon Hansen Insta-Dri nail polishes, Naomi Yasuda perfected multi-coloured, pastel French tips for LoveShackFancy models. She enhanced the look with sophisticated pearl embellishments, which toned beautifully with the romantic collection.
Scan to view behind-the-scenes footage of the LoveShackFancy nail team.
BOLD BLUES
New York City-based nail artist, Miss Pop, created cobalt blue manicures for models walking the BruceGlen SS25 catwalk. She used Zoya Nail Polish in Out Of The Blue to achieve the striking look.
Photo by Ebony Shepherd for Glitterbels.
CHROME CREATIVITY
The Glitterbels brand made its New York Fashion Week debut at the Kate Barton show, which showcased pastel garments and accessories. The ethereal collection was complemented by silver and lilac chrome nails, crafted using Hema Free Gel Polish in Pastel Lilac and Unbelievabel Gel in Super Star. Fans of the nail brand also got a sneak peek at unreleased Glitterbels chrome products, which were used to complete the look.
PARIS
ALIEN NAILS
The Acne Studios SS25 show featured models sporting crystal adorned nails in silver and black. Elsa Durrens was the nail lead, who married the look with the ‘bold, voluminous’ accessories used in the show.
BACKSTAGE WITH OPI: VICTORIA BECKHAM SS25
Multi award-winning nail pro & salon owner, Sammy MacDonald, led the OPI Artistic Team for the Victoria Beckham SS25 showcase at Paris Fashion Week. Sharing the inspiration behind the chosen hues, she comments: “When looking at the collection, we decided that painting all fingers and toes in a dark shade may be too overpowering. Instead, we opted for a clean matte look for hands, and used the warm brown OPI Nail Lacquer shade, Purrrride, from the My Me Era collection, on toes.”
Noting the biggest challenge of the day, she adds: “We had to make sure the product was dry enough for models to slip on transparent shoes, without smudging the lacquer. We had to work quickly, and the OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops sped up the drying process!”
OPI Nail Lacquer in Purride
£8 + VAT/RRP £15.60 uk.wella.professionalstore.com
HIDDEN PEARLS
Celebrity nail stylist, Sylvie Macmillan, created ‘soft, serene pearl surprise’ nails to complement the elegance of the Mugler SS25 show. The manicure saw pearls peeking out from underneath nails.
TECH SPOTLIGHT
Jessica Price, luxury nail & beauty therapist & OPI Artistic Team member
@jessthenailspecialist
Jessica Price, a Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2024 finalist, shares her experience as a member of the OPI Artistic Team at the Victoria Beckham SS25 show: “It was my first experience at a Fashion Week, so I didn’t know what to expect,” she shares. “It was intense and busy, but the show came together even better than I had imagined, and it was a jaw-dropping moment to see our nail work on the runway.”
Sisters, Jessica Price and Lucy Price-Marshall, backstage at the Victoria Beckham Paris Fashion Week SS25 show, as part of the OPI UK&I Artistic Team.
TECH SPOTLIGHT
Lucy Price-Marshall, OPI nail tech, educator & multi award-winning nail pro @lucyrosenails
Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2023 and 2024, Lucy Price-Marshall, was part of the OPI Artistic Team in Paris. She comments: “Each team member inspires and supports one another, and being able to work together in a stunning venue for a high-profile show was an opportunity I am extremely grateful for.”
MILAN
LESS IS MORE
Elena Stepaniouk was the lead nail artist for the Dolce & Gabbana show. She and her team applied almond-shaped tips to the nails of models, painted in a natural-looking pink nail polish with glossy top coat to finish.
RUNWAY REDS
Celebrity nail artist, Antonio Sacripante, used a true red shade from his gel polish brand, pArish Revolution, to create a striking mani for Elisabetta Franchi show models.