Nail Art as a Form of Self-Expression: Mei Kawajiri's Creative Journey

Mei Kawajiri, a renowned nail artist known for her intricate and customized 3-D creations, shares her inspiring journey from Kyoto to New York City, where she now serves high-profile clients like Cardi B and Heidi Klum.

Mei Kawajiri has transformed the art of nail design into a spectacle that transcends traditional beauty norms, capturing the hearts of celebrities and fashion enthusiasts. Working from her cozy home studio in New York's Lower East Side, she combines her passion for nail art with an innovative approach that involves hand-painting, sculpting, and embedding elements such as jewels and lace into her creations. From three-dimensional pastries to detailed anime portraits, her work reflects a playful and colorful aesthetic that speaks to her roots in Kyoto.

Kawajiri's journey began in her early twenties when she established a studio in Tokyo's trendy Harajuku district. On the suggestion of a client’s American acquaintance, Mei ventured to New York City in 2012, despite having limited English proficiency. Undeterred, she would walk a considerable distance from her neighborhood to the Plaza Hotel, portfolio in hand, seeking validation for her dream to conquer the New York art scene.

Today, with over 343,000 followers on Instagram, her nail designs have gone viral, thanks in part to her high-profile clientele, which includes music icons like Bad Bunny and fashion figures like Heidi Klum. Juggling her career and motherhood, Kawajiri remains committed to her art, continuously pushing the boundaries of what nail design can be, thereby redefining beauty and self-expression in the modern world.