Extreme Catwalk CULTURE

A ‘new chapter in Sri Lankan fashion’ was created by entrepreneur, Dinupa Jayasooriya, who hosted South Asia’s first Fantasy Nail Fashion Show. ALEX FOX gets the scoop

I n a world where fashion, nail art and beauty often sit in separate spheres, Dinupa Jayasooriya is boldly weaving them together. As the founder of The Nail Art Academy, with branches in London and Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dinupa is not just shaping nails, but the future of nail fashion. Her latest triumph: South Asia’s first Fantasy Nail Fashion Show in Sri Lanka, proved a boundary-breaking collaboration that united local fashion designers, visionary nail artists, photographers and media partners under one creative vision.

Dinupa Jayasooriya

Every detail was meticulously curated, and the event marked a cultural shift that showcased nails not just as an accessory, but an art form worthy of the runway. Dinupa’s story is one of innovation, international influence and fearless creativity. Scratch was keen to find out the full story behind this inspiring entrepreneur, whose far-reaching has touched over 1,000 students through international nail classrooms.

I quiz Dinupa on her journey into nails, recognising that she didn’t so much seek out the world of nails, but it seemed to find her. “Picture this,” she shares. “I’m sitting in my creative director office chair in Sri Lanka’s fast-paced advertising world, surrounded by billboard campaigns and big visual stories. It’s 2007 and I stumble across nail design, and the tiny art form captivates me completely.”

“Always see yourself as an artist. You’re not just painting nails; you’re creating wearable art that can enhance confidence and express identity.”

Finding no nail education avenue available to her in Sri Lanka, Dinupa sought out YouTube tutorials, noting that the platform became her university. “I’d spend hours sketching designs, practicing techniques and experimenting with whatever I could get my hands on,” she recalls. It soon become clear that practice was the secret to success, and 18 years later, Dinupa instils this in all her students, commenting: “Believe in practice. It will take you further than natural talent or fancy equipment ever will.”

In a bid to bring international standards to her work, Dinupa signed up for a City & Guilds qualification to give more dimension to her nail art learning curve. Captivated by the potential of nail artistry and level of detail that could unfold on a tiny canvas, the creative found herself completely immersed in this new art medium. Her background in fine art was a strong foundation as she moved into the complexity of nail art and saw it as a powerful form of expression.

First place winner: Dulanjalee Kumaragama

“One day, I became curious about nail art’s potential to become a more respected art form. I loved the idea of creating intricate, detailed designs that could make people feel confident and beautiful. The more I explored, the deeper I fell. What pulled me in was the unique blend of creativity, beauty and precision – all happening on a canvas smaller than a postage stamp,” she reflects.

Fashion forward

Moving into the realms of Fantasy nail fashion and how it resounds as a form of expressing one’s individuality and creativity, Dinupa comments: “When we talk about clothing, we call it fashion. So why can’t we say the same about Fantasy nails? For me, nail art isn’t just decoration, it’s fashion. Like clothing, nails express trends, personal style and creativity. They’re part of a complete look, a brand, and communicate who you are to the world.

“There are nail professionals all over the world, but I like to call people who create Fantasy nails, ‘nail fashion artists’. I’d like to introduce that term to the world. That’s why I introduced the concept of ‘nail fashion’ and held the first ever Fantasy Nail Fashion Show in Sri Lanka.” The Nail Art Academy, Colombo presented the show at BMICH Colombo, featuring work from Dinupa’s talented students that was judged, with a winner announced at the event finale. “Models walked down the runway with hands extended like they were presenting precious jewels,” Dinupa continues. “Each nail told its own story, and the event was my way of showing the world that nail art deserves the same stage and recognition as other forms of fashion. My goal is to make ‘nail fashion’ a globally recognised term and inspire others to see nails as powerful fashion statements,” she enthuses.

Fuelled by her passion and vision for this journey into unknown nail territory, Dinupa was driven to explore a project that would encapsulate all her ideals, while stretching creativity. “The idea for the Fantasy Nail Fashion Show had been brewing in my heart for years,” she says. “I kept witnessing incredible nail art masterpieces being created, but they were always confined to salons, competitions or social media. I found myself asking, ‘Why can’t nails have the same prestigious platform as fashion? Why can’t they command a runway?’ I wanted to elevate nail art to the same reverence we give haute couture, to prove that nails are fashion.

“The timing felt perfect. I had built substantial experience, cultivated a strong network and developed the confidence needed for such an ambitious undertaking. Still, I wasn’t entirely sure how the world would respond to the concept. Bringing the show to life required pure determination, meticulous planning and countless sleepless nights,” Dinupa continues. “This wasn’t something I could accomplish alone and therefore, I’m deeply grateful to my students, husband and office team in Sri Lanka, since without their unwavering support, it would have remained a dream. By bringing this vision to Sri Lanka, we proved to the world that nail fashion deserves serious recognition – not just locally, but on an international stage. We created something that had never existed before in South Asia, and in doing so, we opened new doors in the nail industry.”

Catwalk creations

Building a catwalk show of such magnitude ‘takes a village’, as Dinupa notes: “There were many people directly involved in making the show happen: 120 students, 40 models, 40 make-up artists and 40 fashion stylists. The crew comprised photographers, videographers, lighting technicians, stage designers, event coordinators and more,” she recalls.

“Local designers created complementary fashion pieces, photographers documented every detail and media partners helped spread the word. We had artists from different specialities all working towards the same vision. What amazed me was how everyone got caught up in the excitement. People who had never worked on a nail-focused event suddenly understood the artistic potential and wanted to be part of something groundbreaking. The logistical aspects were intense: coordinating schedules, managing creative differences and ensuring every nail piece was perfect for the runway.

However, seeing everyone come together for this shared vision was magical.”

Dinupa brought together a team of experts to aid in choreography, planning and styling: photographer, Rafaella Fernando; international choreographer, Rakmal Senanayake; art instructor, Tamara Damayanthi; rap instructor, Shiro Wijemanne; instructor & international judge, Sumudu Wasantha, and dancer & teacher, Sarah Abeywardena.

“My goal is to make ‘nail fashion’ a globally recognised term and inspire others to see nails as powerful fashion statements.”

“More than 500 people attended the show, proving that when you bring together passionate artists from different disciplines, you can create something truly special that resonates with a wide audience,” Dinupa smiles. “Fashion industry leaders, beauty editors, salon owners, government officials, actresses and artists were in attendance, and the response was beyond my wildest expectations. The audience was captivated from the very first look, and people who had come out of curiosity were leaning forward to take photos, completely absorbed in what they were witnessing.

“What struck me most was the diversity of reactions. Fashion industry leaders were analysing the techniques with professional appreciation, and beauty editors were frantically taking notes, recognising this as a significant industry moment. Salon owners were seeing new possibilities for their businesses, and the actresses and artists were particularly vocal in their amazement, asking about collaborating on future projects and incorporating nail art into their creative work. However, the standing ovation at the end was spontaneous and genuine. Social media exploded immediately, with guests sharing videos and calling it ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘a new chapter in Sri Lankan fashion’.”

Dinupa continues: “Government officials and industry leaders engaged in animated conversations with the students, treating them as the serious artists they are. That validation proved we had successfully elevated nail art art to its rightful place as a legitimate art form and achieved my goal. I wanted to shift perceptions, spark inspiration and place nails firmly on the global creative stage, and it worked! Media attention grew and artists gained new pride. More than a one-off success, it sparked lasting change: students approached their work with fresh intent and clients embraced artistic expression.”

“Nail art isn’t just decoration, it’s fashion. Like clothing, nails express trends, personal style and creativity. They’re part of a complete look, a brand, and communicate who you are to the world.”

The nail fashion future is bright

“Creatively, I see nail fashion becoming better integrated with overall fashion design,” Dinupa shares. “I foresee runway shows, where nail art is as important as the clothing, and collaborations between nail artists and fashion houses, where nails are central to branding. Professionally, the opportunities are expanding rapidly. We’re seeing specialised nail fashion roles emerging: editorial nail artists, celebrity nail stylists and nail art directors for fashion shoots in places they’ve never been seen before. The career paths are becoming more diverse and lucrative.

“Technology will play a huge role, too. Advanced materials, 3D printing for nail accessories and AR apps for trying on nail designs show that the possibilities are endless. However, what excites me most is the global recognition that’s building. ‘Nail fashion’ is becoming an accepted term, as nail artists are being credited in fashion magazines and the artistry is finally getting the respect it deserves.”

Inspiring a generation

In a bid to pass on her nail wisdom, charm and vision, Dinupa advises students to, ‘start with passion – but pair it with practice’. She shares: “Feeling drawn to nail art is powerful, but turning it into a career takes patience, commitment and continuous learning. Believe in your vision, even when others don’t. When I began, many saw nail art as just a hobby. Today, it’s recognised as a legitimate form of fashion. Your unique perspective might be exactly what this industry needs. Invest in proper training, as quality education builds the international standard of skills that truly elevate your work.

“Always see yourself as an artist. You’re not just painting nails; you’re creating wearable art that can enhance confidence and express identity. Keep experimenting, as the most successful nail artists never stop pushing boundaries.”

www.thenailartacademy.co.uk / www.dinupa.com/thenailartacademy

@thenailartacademy

Navigating nail academies in the UK & Sri Lanka

Of her two nail art academies, Dinupa comments: “My dream has always been to showcase Sri Lankan talent to the world. I wanted to build a platform that would elevate nail education standards in Sri Lanka, while creating genuine international opportunities for my students.

“London was the obvious choice for expansion. As one of the world’s fashion capitals, it offers the perfect stage to showcase our creativity on a global scale. Students arrive in London hungry to learn and eager to experience new trends and techniques. They then bring that knowledge back to Sri Lanka. It’s a beautiful cycle of growth and sharing. Some of my students are now working professionally in England, and a few have even opened nail salons there, which makes me so proud.

“The Nail Art Academy isn’t just a school to me; it’s a bridge connecting Colombo and London, creating a growing family of artists who support, inspire and uplift each other. Training over 1,000 students has taught me that excellence isn’t about where you are, it’s about your commitment to quality. To me, global standard education starts with technical precision that meets international expectations. I want my students to be able to walk into any salon in London, New York or Tokyo and perform at the highest level. But, a certificate alone is not enough. Real skill comes from practice.”

Dinupa continues: “Global education involves teaching students to think creatively, not just follow trends. They need to understand colour, composition and how to bring their own cultural voice to the table. Students must also know how to manage hygiene, build client relationships and price their work smartly. The best education prepares them for both artistry and career success. Most importantly, I want to build confidence. When my students believe they can work anywhere in the world, that belief will transform their entire journey. I respect cultural preferences – what’s elegant in Colombo may differ from London – but great technique is universal. Wherever I teach, my standards for precision, creativity and professionalism remain unwavering.”