Nail Art as High Fasion

Elizabeth Siegel, Allure magazine

Bon Qui Qui had nail art; Kate Moss did not. But suddenly, inexplicably, nail art traveled from the garish fringes to the fashion runways. Now it's infiltrating the mainstream, thanks to new kits, stencils, stickers, and special-effects polish. Part of the appeal is creating the look at home rather than turning to a professional. Full of fresh inspiration, self-styled nail artists are populating YouTube, demonstrating their handiwork, such as 3-D acrylic roses, with step-by-step instructions, and perhaps making nail art the one thing tweens, hipsters, supermodels, and the superfly have in common.

The runway is both a showcase and an inspiration for nail art. We asked five nail virtuosos to come up with designs based on some of the wildest prints and patterns for fall.

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