Madonna & Marc Jacobs Captivated! Behind the Scenes of the Unique Nail Art Created by Mei Kawajiri

Operating under the name "NAILS BY MEI," nail artist Mei Kawajiri enchants people with her unique nail art from her base in New York. She has garnered strong support from world-renowned celebrities, receiving direct work requests from figures such as Madonna, Björk, and Marc Jacobs.

This time, we asked Kawajiri about her journey and creative style.

Using “Nails” as a Canvas for Art

What inspired you to become a nail artist?

I decided to become a nail artist when I was 18. When I first read a nail magazine, I was struck by how free it was as an art canvas, and at the same time, ideas began to flow like, "What about this art?"

I realized that nails are among the smallest parts of the body but also the most noticeable art canvas. It sparked the desire in me to walk around the city with my art on my nails, which led me to start nail art.

As I began to shape the concepts in my mind, I quickly attracted fans within about three months. At 23, I decided to go independent and opened a nail salon in Harajuku that suited my style.

At that time, my clients were mainly from the fashion industry, and I lived a life doing nails from 9 AM until around midnight. Many of my clients became more like friends, which I truly appreciated.

Your innovative nail designs are impressive; have you always had this style?

I’ve never been one to compare myself with others, always expressing my own sensibilities and inspirations.

I see nail art as a way to express the world I want to create on nails, so when I think of designs, I consider what type of art would be interesting.

There are many different styles of nail art nowadays, but during my time at nail school, the range of expressions was not as broad as it is now. However, during my graduation project, I created nail art based on fingers, which surprised my teachers.

Can you tell us about your move to New York?

I was born in Japan, spoke Japanese, and worked in that privileged environment, yet I felt uncomfortable. During that time, an American photographer visiting from New York told me, "You should go to New York and collaborate with makeup artists, hairstylists, and photographers."

Right after that, I took a solo trip to New York, stepping into a new world. I even visited a lawyer in New York to discuss obtaining a visa, saying, "I want to get a visa!"

Being someone who loves adventure, I had no anxiety about working in New York. In fact, I felt, "How freeing is it to live alone in a city where no one knows me!" I was excited by the new encounters and sights.

Required: Speed, Quality, & Ideas

Can you explain the process of creating nail tips?

When I think of a design, I generally don't sketch beforehand. I first visualize what I want to express and start from the main design. It's like cooking without a recipe.

I draw design inspiration from daily life, social trends, fashion, anime, and various other sources.

Though I sometimes use ready-made parts, I often create custom pieces using 3D gel. I try to purchase or research the structure of the actual items I want to create, aiming for a finish that is as close as possible.

However, there are times when I cannot spend much time on preparation. Often, I must think on the spot after receiving an order and use what's available around me to express it. In the past, I've glued a lot of dry pasta to make long, pointed nails or used salt blocks to represent snow.

To create within a limited time, creativity in the moment is essential.

When creating nail art, I believe that speed, quality, and ideas are crucial.

Additionally, when taking orders and creating on the spot, it’s important to have the ability to instantly understand what the client wants. When selecting nail colors, instead of leaving everything to the client, it’s necessary to communicate, "I think this color suits your current style," and propose suggestions that the client can agree with.

It’s not just about proposing my own preferences. It's important to have the perspective of thinking, "If it were me, I would choose this, but for this person, this might be better." Communication skills to explore the client's preferences through conversation are also essential.

What kind of preparation do you do to propose something suitable for the client?

For example, when I was asked by Madonna, she said, "First, I want you to come to my house," so I had no idea what kind of order would be made on the spot. In such cases, I use a large suitcase to bring as many necessary items for nails as possible.

Especially since celebrities often operate on tight schedules, it’s a race against time, as I often have to complete all the steps in under 30 minutes. Therefore, to quickly present nail ideas, I look at her past photos or videos in advance and pick up color tones and designs that she might like. Sometimes, I also bring a notebook to sketch out design ideas.

While there are times when I'm told, "I respect you, so do whatever you want," I ensure that the nail art will be liked by having conversations while creating, much like live painting, asking questions like, "Is this color okay?"

On the other hand, Marc Jacobs has very specific preferences regarding nails and takes time in the creation process. We engage in discussions to realize the ideal nails he envisions, creating together in a collaborative way.

Proud of Japan's Unique Culture

Kawajiri's nails often reflect a strong sense of Japanese culture.

This might be a reflection of my pride in Japanese culture. I believe Japanese culture is special and possesses a unique sense that doesn’t exist in America.

I love old anime and elements of cute Japanese culture like hair clips and loose socks. Nails that express these elements are particularly my favorites.

However, for someone from America who is not interested in such things, similar nail art might not resonate well. I believe that it’s because I have roots in Japan and a fondness for cute culture that I can enjoy nail art in my own unique way.

What does nail art mean to you, Kawajiri?

I think of nail art as a kind of billboard that represents myself. For example, when I go out and someone sees my nails and asks, "Are your nails by Mei?", it happens quite often. My nail art tends to be more recognized than I am. I believe that having my work known is a source of great joy as a nail artist.

If there are creators or nail artists aiming to work overseas in the future, I definitely recommend taking action. Particularly in New York, I think talent, confidence, and proactivity are crucial.

Mei Kawajiri expresses various arts on the small canvas of nails. Her captivating and original nail art will likely continue to attract attention from around the world.