January: fulerton files

INSPIRATION ALL ROUND Let me begin by wishing a happy New Year to all. I can’t believe 2008 is here – the years seem to get shorter, just like the trend for nail length last year. The back-end of 2007 brought nail bling galore, especially the metallic hues – Leighton Denny’s Golden Girl varnish featured in Elle magazine’s December issue, as did my “all things metallic” shoot. I hope it inspired nail techs and clients alike to be a little more adventurous with their nails over the festive season, as well as all year round. PIC: ANDREA'S WORK IN PRINT Talking of Mr Denny -- a big congratulations for winning the Cosmopolitan Beauty Award for Best Nail Rescuer for the second year and also for Harpers Bazaar’s Best Nail File. He really helped to keep all things nails at the forefront of the consumer beauty press in 2007 – so keep up the good work Leighton. A big well done also to......Jamie and Lisa Crook of Perfect Nails for their ongoing success with the Essie range at the InStyle magazine beauty awards each year, and, of course, to Nailtiques for keeping up the natural nail care line. I’m looking forward to seeing the front cover of the March issue of Marie Claire. I’m not allowed to reveal the identity of the trendy British songstress until it goes to print, but I will be sure to tell you all – about her nails at least! I also did the nails for some advertising images for the high street chain Evans’ spring collection 2008, back in November. I am hoping the nails will show in the final shots when they hit the billboards early this year. Looking back at last year, the nail industry saw some big changes. Sam Watkinson and Sabrina Malik, my partners in crime at previous London Fashion Week events, left EzFlow and IBD Gel and are now working together giving invaluable advice and ongoing training to all businesses – myself included! Not to mention representing me in Paris last season for the Manish Arora show, where they themed the models’ nails on traditional henna-like artwork – spectacular as usual. PIC: MANISH ARORA SHOW The Sweets (Samuel and Samantha) formed Sweet Squared, and I’m sure will take the Creative brand from strength to strength. I love their new advertising images, along with those for OPI’s Russian collection. And as for Entity, (Tom Holcomb and Tom Bachik’s range), how beautiful are those hands and nails in their full-page advertisements? Boy, those boys can do nails. Meanwhile, how about Marion Newman’s Fusion? Such a cool concept, so new and innovative. I’m loving the fact natural nails are getting some attention again, as well as nail enhancements – and what beautiful, funky paint work. So who knows what 2008 will bring – exciting new nail looks, concepts and brands, or just new ways to create fabulous nails with what we already have?