While we’ve come a long way since the days of squared french tips and coffin acrylics, nails have always been an outlet for self expression. Whether they’re elevating an editorial look, or tying a color scheme together, nail art can embody an energy all on its own.

This power was adamantly realized by Tomoya Nakagawa – a Japanese nail artist who picked up the craft after moving to New York from Tokyo, and departing from his previous occupation, fishing.

Evidently no stranger to hooking people in, his works have become more and more elaborate, extending far beyond the nail’s surface and creating intricate constellations that both grow from, and wrap around, the models’ hands.

Daggers, amoebas, spirals, and piercings are all consistent features throughout his work, completely dismantling the conventional symmetry expected within the field.

Creating sets for the likes of Björk, Hirari Lily, and Kiko Mizuhara, Nakagawa is riding the waves of his own creative expansion – extending beyond nail art to create additional ear cuffs, headpieces, eyebrow embellishments, and grills. Computer Aided Design systems have never been this accessible, and with the world of design increasingly at our fingertips, it’s crucial they’re looking equally as exciting.

Tokyo nail artist – more like miniature sculptor – Tomoya Nakagawa goes beyond the lines of adornment and sets his practice in the creation of small sculptures for your fingertips, many times outside of function or completely beyond of traditional nail shaping as we know it today.

How did you start working as a nail artist and how was your journey through the way you go about your work currently?

I'm based in Tokyo. Currently in LA and planning to stay for 3 months. I've been pursuing what I just want to make, and that's what I'm doing now.

I find myself completely enamoured of your pieces, and wonder, how do you see your nails being implemented by costumers, do you do mostly editorial work, do you work with different artists or do you feel like people integrate your pieces into daily life easily?

I enjoy working with artists I like. I just want to make something I like and hope that it will stay in people's minds, even if just a little. I don't think about it too much.

How does your design process develop and where do you usually find inspiration?

My latest source of inspiration comes from "diving." I can breathe in the sea and observe the creatures carefully. It's a great activity!

What are your views in the utilisation of less conventional materials for nail manicurists say metal, glass, or even, when we see food or other perishable ítems being used on nails?

I think everyone should do what they like to do. I don't like to use food much, to be honest.

What are the tools that aid you when you create more scuptural, intrecate 3D designs?

We use a variety of CAD systems to design our products.

How do you see nail art evolving into more traditional paths of traditional art and now being more highly regarded thanks to the work of nail artists with approaches similar to yours?

I think nail art is evolving in a very interesting way. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.