Tell us why you set up Mannequin Hands.
“I set up Mannequin Hands first only as an expression of my love for nails. I’d made a few sets for friends shooting editorials and I had done a course at a Japanese nail salon when I was 19. It was years before I started taking clients that weren’t my friends and it was a couple more after that before I made it my full
time job. I really love nail art and I first just needed a business name for the sake of making an instagram to dump all the nail shots I’d done on.”
How is Mannequin Hands different from other salons?
“Honestly, I don’t like to compare. I think thankfully we’re at a point where there’s lots of business owners
working independently or creating salons that feel slower and more considered than your average shopping centre salon and I guess Mannequin Hands is a part of that!”
What’s your favourite part of nail art?
“Layering and creating something that fits a particular mood. I love that anything is possible and with that in mind you can create absolutely anything on nails. It’s an endlessly fascinating medium for me.”
Favourite look?
“I don’t have just one but I love texture more than anything so anything with a little 3D gel is a good time for me!”
You can take one bottle of nail polish to a desert island – what colour is it?
“RR09 by Gellyfit. It’s the most luxurious deep red, nothing beats it!”
Favourite nail art memory?
“Just laughing with my clients in the salon or shopping at Nail Partner for the first time when I went to Japan to build my kit!”
Tell us the trends that you see for Autumn/Winter 2024?
“I don’t always lean into trends because I’m always seeing what trends from different angles, what’s happening for nail artists differs from what trends on TikTok differs from what trends on Instagram but for me personally I think it’ll be pearly deep colours, not a chrome, but rather that 80’s pearl but in emeralds and reds. Aura nails in deep hues aren’t going anywhere and I definitely think we’ll see khaki and brown reign ongoing. Earthy tones are on the up!”
What is the hottest shape of the autumn season?
“When it comes to shape I normally encourage clients to stick to what works with their lifestyle. While I love round or almond nails for their durability I have had more clients than ever before try out square looks!”
Where do you take your inspiration from?
“Art and fashion are always an inspiring space for me! If I’m feeling stuck for inspiration it’s nothing a trip
to a gallery can’t fix!”
You have been behind plenty of celebrities great nail art -any memorable moments?
“I find normally celebrities have tighter briefs because the nails are set to complete a look so the art itself tends to be pretty simple but doing Shy Girls nails in her hotel room while Notting Hill played was super cute!”
“Layering and creating something that fits a particular mood. I love that anything is possible and with that in mind you can create absolutely anything on nails. It’s an endlessly fascinating medium for me.”
Tell us how important social media has been to your business.
“Social media has given me endless opportunities to share what I love to do and add to the masses of
addictive process video content! It definitely shaped my client base and I was lucky to have started the
business when Instagram didn’t favour paid content so the growth was all organic and community based!”
Any advice to other budding nail artists in the industry?
“Be consistent, it’s definitely no overnight success but be sure to document everything along the way!
Plans for the year ahead?
“Keep shaping up what Mannequin Hands looks like for me as an artist!”
This article originally appeared in the Autumn 2024 print issue of Professional Beauty.
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