NYFW SS27 Nail Trends Forecast Industry Obsessions

New York Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2027 collections, presented from September 10-15, 2026, showed five distinct nail art trends set to influence the beauty industry. Celebrity nail artists backstage created manicures designed to complement each designer's runway vision.

Vertical Stripes

Celebrity nail artist Pattie Yankee created playful nail art for the Alice + Olivia show. The design featured fun red-and-white vertical stripes. This whimsical, graphic finish was reminiscent of classic candy canes. It perfectly complemented designer Stacey Bendet's Wonderland-inspired collection.

'Sunglass' Nails

Nail artist Simcha Whitehill, known as Miss Pop, crafted the manicures for Diane von Furstenberg's vibrant shows. She used brown-toned nails finished with chrome glazes from Essie. The result was a sleek, reflective effect. Whitehill dubbed the look 'Sunglass Nails' in an Instagram post, capturing its softly tinted, high-shine finish.

Purple Polish

Pops of purple shimmer brought iridescence to the nails at Christian Cowen's show. The artist behind the design, Gina Edwards, explained her inspiration on Instagram. She stated she created a sculpted black curvature across the nails to echo the curves of a woman's body. Beneath it, a subtle cat eye effect added depth and movement. Edwards described the look as feminine, powerful, and unapologetically strong.

Pearl Finishes

Holly Falcone, owner of the nail brand Celisse, created pearlescent looks for designer Sandy Liang's SS27 show. Falcone took to Instagram to explain the concept. She said the nail looks were created for the 'sporty princess,' using shimmering pearl shades inspired by jerseys and spandex. The designs also paid tribute to the satins and moirés of Versailles. Falcone emphasized that every season, a nail look tells a story or stems from something in a 'Sandy girl's world.'

Cherry Red

Celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda contributed to multiple shows. Models for the denim brand 7 For All Mankind sported bold cherry red nail looks. This offered a wearable indication of trends shaping the upcoming season. Yasuda also created more theatrical nails for the Showpony fashion project. That look featured products from The GelBottle Inc. And was paired with extravagant hair extensions for a show-stopping effect.