The Drip
The Tales Behind The Nails From The Artists Who Create Them
I’m writing this blog (my 3rd or 4th attempt) from Paris. The first attempt was was in D.C., the 2nd - 3rd attempt in Los Angeles, and this one in Paris. On the 2nd or 3rd attempt according to my own words I was at the midpoint of post-production for my nail art series called, “The Drip”. Present day it’s done, and it’s marvelous. Getting to marvelous was a hard won internal battle. Creativity and vulnerability are in perpetual fight or dance.
The idea came about during winter 2024. I had to find a new nail tech, and I was sad about it. I loved my nail tech of about 2-ish years. She always got the shape perfectly stiletto, was patient with me as I inspected every single available color option on the walls, and told me sweet stories about her family.
I reflected on how much I love nail art and how nails can become a part of your identity, but also the intimacy of the relationship you build with your nail tech/artist — they know ALL your life’s tea.
Part of my nail identity journey is my friend Lo Oko. During the pandemic she created press on sets which were lifesavers for the period of time where salon visits were no longer reality. I own three pairs of her press ons, and she even created a custom set for me when I launched my shop 47th x Ashley, in a classic blue and white design. Who better to kick this new exploration of the nail experience off than with Lo?!
So much time at the nail salon is spent spilling to your tech or nail artist, and I wanted to shine light on the Tales Behind the Nails with Lo. We chatted about her journey, goals and dreams as a nail artist and woman of many talents. The parts that stuck out to me were the importance of community building, networking and taking leaps of faith despite how daunting it can be.
Lo created a set based on my favorite food and destination on my travel bucket list, Sushi and Japan. The 3D sushi pieces make me hungry every time I look at them, and overall the set made me feel very … watashi wa-star.
My conversation with Lo was so lovely, learning about her start and journey creating artisitc press on sets felt like an honor. Seeing her bring her ideas to life, networking her way into editorial work, hearing her hopes and dreams for where she’d like to take her business and art was inspirational. I am so excited to to see the creative partnerships she forges in the future. Enough of my yapping about Lo, here is Lo in her own words:
The Drip Videos 1, 2 & 3 : Nailed It, Claws, What’s in Her Bag?
Creating this project was familiar but totally new simultaneously. I spent many years working on set as a fashion editorial freelancer, being on set is one of my favorite places to be. The energy of creatives coming together to do the thing they love and leave their marks on the world. That day was no different than any other day on a set with the exception of me being fully in charge and also on camera. Doing on-camera work is something I am working toward and filming the drip confirmed that I absolutely love it and it gives me life.
Ending the year with a new monthly partnership to create content for an adorable jewelry brand, spending so much quality time with the love of my life in Europe and hope and energy for the approaching new year.
Photography: Chanel Lewis; @notchanneljpg