SCRATCH PADS

Instagrammable interiors pair with nail art offerings & tasty treats in a nail salon & café setup in Bristol. REBECCA HITCHON takes a peek

Step inside House of Gossip’s Bedminster space and you’ll be transported into a ‘70s-inspired ‘explosion of style and clashing prints’. That’s how founder & owner, Emily Fisher, describes her brand’s second salon premises, which opened in April. It builds on the popularity of her first ‘humble’ venue in Old Market, near to Bristol city centre, but services extend beyond a playful nail art menu to include a taste bud-tickling food and drinks selection.

“House of Gossip, formally known as The Gossip Nail Bar, first hit the streets of Bristol in 2017, with its popularity growing organically since then,” Emily shares. The launch followed the success of the pro’s YouTube channel, which had 100k subscribers at its peak, and focused on hair, nail and fashion content. “2024 felt like the right time to expand into a new area of Bristol: to the south side, in Bedminster,” Emily continues. “I have AuDHD (a combination of autism and ADHD), which gives me a need for aesthetic styling. House of Gossip has always had Instagrammable nails at its heart; when it launched, there weren’t many Bristol businesses that offered nail art, but I have always loved creating unique designs. I wanted to continue a visually appealing focus and add a café within the second site.”

Emily Fisher

Emily describes the salon’s interior as ‘1970s kitsch meets boho mob wife’, with Daisy Jones & the Six inspirations and lots of leopard print. A pink and orange colour scheme captures attention: in details from tiled manicure desks and floral wallpaper, to slogan signs and a wavy full-length mirror. The fun features don’t end there, as the House of Gossip café’s offerings are a delight for the eyes. There are mouth-watering options of homemade rainbow buddha and smoothie bowls, toasts, pancakes and delectable drinks – from milkshakes and smoothies to matcha and coffee. Food is presented on stylish pink crockery and drinks in funky mugs and branded cups, ready to be consumed inside or in the relaxing garden area. “We focus on serving mostly vegan food, to match the vegan ethos we adhere to when selecting nail brands,” Emily smiles.

“I wanted to create a space where clients feel like they are hanging out with friends and can authentically be themselves – without judgment.”

“The support of other females, both giving and receiving, is so valuable when building an empire.”

Claws and café: a perfect match

The connected values of the nail bar and café, and their aesthetic, unite them as a multi-purpose destination for nail clients. “It’s a space where they can have their nails done, stay to work or meet friends for a coffee,” Emily explains. “We want clients to enjoy hanging out here before and after nail appointments, and to support other ‘feminine energy’ entrepreneurs by providing a creative space in which to feel inspired and host events, such as workshops and parties. This is why the café is open to all, from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 2pm.”

Emily exudes the welcoming and inclusive energy of House of Gossip, and when scrolling through the brand’s social media accounts, it’s apparent that clients feel it too. In an Instagram video of the space, a customer says: “It has the best interior and vibe. A lot of nail salons can feel clinical, and this doesn’t at all,” while on another, a client comments that the salon is their ‘favourite find since moving to Bristol’ and ‘a safe, authentic space with adorable nails’. This was Emily’s goal for House of Gossip: to be a place to ‘feel at home’. “I say we’re ‘professionally unprofessional,’ because we have a professionalism about our work and a high standard for what clients receive, but in an environment where they feel comfortable,” she shares.

“I am neurodivergent, so wanted to create a space where clients feel like they are hanging out with friends and can authentically be themselves – without judgment,” Emily continues. “It’s never just about nails: it’s about making people feel good.” The salon owner’s client awareness stems from her eight years in the nail industry, but her job has become more varied as her brand has grown. “I often do clients’ nails, but I have my fingers in a lot of pies,” Emily smiles. “I have a passion for creative projects and love dreaming up unusual nail art and café menu ideas. I also create content, manage the business, support the team and look after my two young sons.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

Emily’s many responsibilities are highlighted via Instagram, where she manages accounts for House of Gossip’s nail content (which boasts an impressive following of over 42K) and the brand’s general posts, alongside a personal profile and nail page, art account and interiors profile. All showcase a variety of vibrant and cohesive content: something many would say is a full-time job in itself. So, what is the key to House of Gossip’s success? Emily cites her community: “I could not have done any of this without my amazing team and clients. The support of other females, both giving and receiving, is so valuable when building an empire,” she says.

“Emily describes the salon’s interior as ‘1970s kitsch meets boho mob wife’, with Daisy Jones & the Six inspirations and lots of leopard print.”

Emily notes that House of Gossip’s nail art specialists pride themselves on being able to create most designs and trends, each with different personal nail art styles. Seeking vegan-friendly, HEMA-free products, the team uses Magpie Beauty, as well as the Aprés Nail Gel-X extension system and SISSI Clay for 3D work.

On House of Gossip’s nail treatment menu are gel polish overlays, builder gel enhancements and Aprés Nail extensions, with five art tiers: Basic, Cute, Epic, Extreme and Ultimate. “Our most common design level is Epic, which could be a fairly simple pick and mix style or leopard print across all nails, for example,” Emily details. “We also often create Extreme and Ultimate looks, which feature much more intricate details and 3D designs.”

With the Bedminster space taking just a few weeks to reach the same fully booked status as House of Gossip’s first salon premises, the future looks bright for the brand: just as bright as its funky interior, food and client fingertips.

www.thegossipnailbar.co.uk