FASHION WEEK FOCUS

Explore the nail looks that made an impact on SS26 runways at New York & London Fashion Weeks

REBECCA HITCHON REPORTS

Mark your calendars – February and September are must-note months, when Fashion Weeks take place across the globe. The events are not just opportunities for designers to showcase their collections to celebrities, press and influencers: they’re increasingly becoming a space for nails to be recognised as forms of expression and artistry, and extensions of fashion looks.

More designers are celebrating nail work at Fashion Weeks and recognising its importance in enhancing the visual impact of clothing collections. This is being demonstrated via intricate, innovative and eye-catching manicure and pedicure looks each season.

September’s spring/summer 2026 New York and London Fashion Weeks proved that. Read on to learn about the looks that demanded attention on catwalks...

“Guvanch’s spring/summer 2026 collection was about transformation and inner freedom,” explains Yuliia. “Its concept read: ‘In order to be reconstructed in your greatness, you must allow your ego to die by dusk, shatter your fear in your light, and let go of what could have been by dawn. For in the end, you are only what you are destined to be. Free in the Golden Hour, Free in The Light.’ I got goosebumps from this philosophy.

“This passionate description, its meaning and the colours and textures of the collection became the sources of inspiration for my nail designs. The clothing featured natural, earthy shades and many textures, and I saw my task as highlighting this via nail shape and design.

“This was both an easy and difficult process: easy in that I was inspired by the concept, collection and designer’s approach, but difficult because I felt a big responsibility for my nails to work well within the final look.

“I chose to create unusual nail shapes, use black and burgundy shades, mix and contrast gloss and matte top coats, and add texture and chrome accents. For some designs, I used L&P acrylic to produce subtle 3D effects. In other styles, 3D gel created volume. I also used metallic wire, feathers and chains to translate the design of the collection onto nails.

“For the New York Fashion Week show, my assistant, Aisa of @aisa_nails_nyc, helped me adhere the creations onto models’ nails. The backstage environment was professional and well-coordinated. It was an inspiring experience that allowed me to showcase my technical and creative skills.”

A MESMERISING MEETING OF MINDS

THE BLONDS’ New York Fashion Week show didn’t just showcase glamorous couture pieces; it was the stage for an exciting nail announcement, as industry icon & CNDTM co-founder, Jan Arnold, joined forces with Glitterbels co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, to create the show’s nail looks. This marked the beginning of a partnership between Glitterbels and Jan Arnold, who has been appointed as executive advisor for the brand.

Annabel Maginnis & Jan Arnold

The show-stopping runway nail styles, comprising extreme 3D elements, textured animal print and hundreds of hand-applied gemstones, fitted the theme of ‘Old Hollywood glamour meets jungle safari’. Nail artist, Tamara Di Lullo, led the team of pros fashioning designs to match the extravagant garments.

Step-by-step: Seductress styling

Step 1 Apply your chosen Glitterbels Gel Polish shade and cure for 60 seconds under the DreamCure Lamp.

Step 2 Apply a thin layer of No Wipe Topcoat and cure for 60 seconds.

Step 3 Buff the entire nail using a buffing block to remove shine.

Step 4 Using Unbelievabel Gel, paint the snakeskin design and cure for 60 seconds.

Step 5 Rub on your chosen Glitterbels Chrome Powder, then apply No Wipe Topcoat over the entire nail and cure for 60 seconds.

Step 6 Using Builderbel Gel in Crystal and either the Glitterbels Liner Brush or Dotting Tool, apply gel droplets into each section of the snake print. Work in small sections, curing for 60 seconds each time.

Step 7 Finish with a final 60 second cure of the nail, and application of Glitterbels Cuticle Oil.

North America’s Star Nail Artist: Season 2 competitors were tasked with creating THE BLONDS-inspired nail looks for the contest’s first challenge, set by Jan Arnold. Check them out from page 58.

Photos by Jennifer Graylock (@graylockphoto)

Jess Watts

BACKSTAGE WITH SCRATCH

Scratch’s multiplatform writer, Jess Watts, went backstage at Paul Costelloe’s SS26 London Fashion Week show, ‘Boulevard of Dreams’, where clothing and nails were enveloped in pastel hues. Described as ‘a vibrant ode to femininity, freedom and the effortless glamour of 1967,’ Palm Springs-inspired nail looks took centre stage courtesy of lead nail artist, Sophia Stylianou, who used Mii Cosmetics products to fashion fun styles.

Jess reveals: “Sophia and her team of five manicurists painted the fingernails of models using Mii Cosmetics Colour Confidence Nail Polishes in Clear Skies – a periwinkle blue with a crème finish; Coral Camellia – a vibrant coral, reminiscent of tropical flowers, and Peach Petals – a warm peach-pink with pastel undertones.”

TEXTURAL TALONS

Team Glitterbels was called upon by London’s Poet-Lab for the showcase of its SS26 collection, ‘Resistant When Opposites Break’, which focuses on self-expression and rejecting norms. Deputy head of education at Glitterbels, Jennie Nippard, and educators, Danielle Brindley and Sophie Howard, created a variety of abstract black and white looks, including a 3D bubble effect design.

“The collection moodboard featured a monochrome palette, encompassing a variety of textures,” shares Danielle Brindley. “We created three designs to complement all outfits, using Unbelievabel Gels in White and Black. The formula is highly pigmented, with a thick viscosity that can be layered to create a textural effect and keeps lines crisp.”

Danielle Brindley

Glitterbels Unbelievabel Gels in White & Black £9.95 inc VAT each www.glitterbels.com

For Pauline Dujancourt’s London Fashion Week show, session stylist & OPI manicurist, Sammy MacDonald, added white and black lace to models’ nails.

On Instagram, the pro shared: “The collection featured intricate lace and we made the nails match. I applied a thin layer of resin glue to attach the lace so that it hardened, had a lot of structure and was easy for the models to remove.”

Sammy MacDonald

Instagram.com/naominailsnyc

New York brand, Luar, is known for showcasing fantastical nail looks on its runways and called upon celebrity nail stylist, Naomi Yasuda, to craft creations for its latest showcase. For spring/summer 2026, the inspiration was carnival, and feathers featured on clothing, eyelashes and nail tips, in shades of black, blue and yellow.

STYLING THAT SHONE

Instagram.com/_tylerphoenix_nails

Toenails received some love at British brand, Burberry’s summer 2026 showcase, with a sparkling pedicure design created by session manicurist, Ama Quashie. Ama and her 22-strong nail team carefully added silver rhinestones to models’ toenails. Burberry’s collection is inspired by the connection between fashion and music, and we can see this nail finish being popular amongst festival-goers next summer.

Greek styling dominated the catwalk at Di Petsa’s London Fashion Week show, ‘The Archaeology of Self’. Lead manicurist, Tyler Phoenix, matched this with sparkling hues and 3D pearls on nails, commenting: “This season was all about raw, earthy vibes. I played with warm nudes, metallics and shimmery tones to create an effortlessly ethereal feel. Adding the freshwater pearls tied in beautifully with the models’ accessories.”

Sponsored by Mii Cosmetics, Tyler used Colour Confidence shades, Radiant Glow, Champagne Celebration, Diamond Chip and Inca Jewels.

Instagram.com/amaquashie

Mii Cosmetics Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Diamond Chip £6.75 + VAT/RRP £13.50 www.gerrardinternational.com

Avant-garde structures and bold fabrics made an impact on the Hector Maclean runway in London, with session nail artist, Chiara Ballisai, invited to craft nail looks to suit. “I wanted to create designs that not only complemented, but elevated the clothing,” Chiara tells Scratch. “The finished looks carried a rebellious edge that echoed the fearless spirit of the collection. I created a mirrored chrome effect, using The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Decade and finishing with Extreme Shine Top Coat. For the 3D chrome looks, I followed the same process, but used TGB’s Clear 3D Studio GelTM to build up the designs and covered this with Chrome Pigment in Blonde, before applying top coat.”

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Decade £17.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

COLOURFUL CLAWS

Japanese folklore influenced London-based brand, APUJAN’s SS26 showcase, ‘The Extraordinary Voyage of Captain Peach’, where lead manicurist, Metta Francis, used NailKind shades to fashion themed nail looks. “I took inspiration from the ‘Extraordinary Voyage of Captain Peach’ imagery with peach and water ripple designs, alongside the APUJAN logo and Ao-oni and Aka-oni (blue and red ogres from Japanese folklore). These elements featured heavily in the clothing collection,” she tells Scratch. NailKind shades used were Out Of The Blue, Bon Bon Blush, Iced Candy, Miss Ballet, Red Carpet, Ink Me and Burning Love, and models’ nail looks were finished with SaviourTM Nail & Skin Restoring Oil and Balm.

NailKind Nail Polish in Out Of The Blue £POA/RRP £8.95 www.nailkind.com

Chopova Lowena’s London showcase, ‘Cheerlore’, was all about unity, taking inspiration from American football and cheerleading teams. A playful take on sporting gear matched fun fingertips, with colourful and eye-catching nail art created by session stylist, Ella Vivii, and her team of nine using The GelBottle Inc products. She shares: “We created and hand-painted what felt like a million different nail designs, but it was worth it!”

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Gilly from £8.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Instagram.com/ellavivii