Recession nails or racial erasure? Why a ‘naked’ manicure is not as neutral as it seems | Beauty
Trends at Copenhagen fashion week are usually easy to spot. The so-called “fifth fashion week”, a laidback sibling to the other four main fashion cities, has previously popularised everything from romantic floaty dresses with practical trainers to giant hair scrunchies. But during its latest iteration that wrapped up on Friday, a much more subtle trend had emerged – naked nails. From the models on the catwalks to show-goers and passersby, fingers and toes featured short and unvarnished nails. The trend is a sharp shift away from the long, bright and glossy mani/pedis that have more recently dominated beauty standards. Saffron Goddard, a manicurist who works with fashion brands including campaigns for Burberry and Mango, says the goal is now “healthy-looking, well-groomed nails rather than a noticeable manicure”. Isabella Rose Davey, COO of Copenhagen fashion week, describes the minimalist look as “very Danish”. Davey, who quit her monthly mani/pedi habit when she moved to the city from London seven years ago, compares it to the Danes’ preference for “no-makeup makeup”, where the focus is on healthy …
