CND's Co-Founder Jan Arnold and Nail Professionals Angi Wingle, Wanda Ruiz, Kristina Estabrooks, and Roxanne Valinoti are celebrating 15 years of CND at Fashion Week by collaborating with 21 designers this season for runway manicure expertise.
2.16.11
Kristina Estabrooks introduced 22 handmade, theatrical manicures inspired by Eastern culture meets ultra glam - in the form of fortune cookies ("You don't have to be blonde to be a Blond"), red sparkly Chinese characters (translated to "Blonds Love Diamonds"), "HIYA" and googly-eyed nails, and absolutely fabulous "Tranny-cures" comprised of Swarovski crystals and crushed glass with ombre undertones to color coordinate with outfits on the runway. Thai nails shaped with blinged-out hair clips, and dragons curled from thumb to pinkie were just some of the surprises to be seen. Matched with technicolor eyes and glittery hair pieces in afro and cleopatra bob shapes, this collection put the
Delightful in
DRAMA.
At 3.1 Phillip Lim, Angi Wingle created half-circle inky manicures deemed "Yazuka's flesh and ink" by the designer, using warm opaque Desert Suede and arcs in Midnight Sapphire (out in September 2011). Pedis were coated in two coats of Midnight Sapphire, nicknamed "Shogun's metal" by Lim. Half-pulled back, crimped hair and aquamarine shimmery eye shadow completed the beauty look inspired by sporty, on-the-go women.
2.15.11
The Rainforest called...they want their nails back. Today at
Jen Kao, CND nails by Kristina Estabrooks were inspired by organic, living things in the swampy depths of nature. Long, almond shape nails were based with
Gold Chrome and
Midnight Sapphire, and accented with drops of
Gold Pearl, Iced Blue Shimmer, and Midnight Sapphire for a psychedelic stained glass effect. An almost aquatic quality took hold to match mind-bogglingly twisted hair, green metallic eye shadow and glittery bronze brows.
2.14.11
At
Carolina Herrera, Wanda Ruiz created a regal
Crown Jewel Manicure using two coats of
Dark Ruby topped with glossy
Super Shiney Top Coat to complete a beauty look with fresh faced makeup and elegant chignons. Nails were short and square, and high shine color contrasted luxurious fabrics in silk, velvet and suede.
2.13.11
At
Behnaz Sarafpour, Wanda Ruiz created
Manolo Manicures inspired by two styles of namesake custom-designed shoes by Manolo Blahnik for the show using clear French tips and
Blackjack; and other tips with
Blackjack smile lines and
Putty on the base of the nail. These modern twists on a classic 40's French manicure accentuated romantic, messy buns and shiny nude lips. Nails popped in a presentation with gorgeous black leather and lace, and timeless tweed.
2.12.11
At
Binetti, Kristina Estabrooks created the ultimate in nail art - the
ManiCUBE, a Cubism-inspired style with a
Blackjack base on natural nails and "slim-lined" with tips coated in
Bloodline over
Raisin in the Sun. After the initial color was applied, manicures were embellished with 18 individual custom made adornments comprised of broken glass, fragmented mirrors, hardware nails, and dramatic noir feathers. The black swan to last season's innocent and sweet Cocktail Ring Nail, this look was elegant, edgy and breathtaking. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:
2.11.11
At
Ruffian, Kristina Estabrooks made luxurious tuxedo manicures fit for a black tie runway using
Asphalt as a base, topped with
Ice Blue Shimmer, Violet Shimmer, detailed with
Blackjack, and finished with
Super Shiney Top Coat for polished perfection. This masculine/feminine contrast accessorized a menswear-influenced collection.
Jason Wu's majestic, baroque nails were out in full force -
Roxanne Valinoti created gilded burgundy manicures using
Dark Ruby layered with
Bloodline, and gilded with
Gold Chrome smile lines. These manicures matched slicked back ponytails with a flash of gold leaf. Even Versailles could not contain this beauty look!
At
Costello Tagliapietra,
Angi Wingle crafted muted mint green manicures with custom blended
Brilliant White, Bicycle Yellow, Green Scene, and
Silver Chrome completed with
Super Matte Top Coat for a satin finish. Paired with retro blown back hair, fiery red lips and offbeat red, green and yellow outfits on the runway.