Maximalist manicures & 4 other nail trends that dominated London Fashion Week AW25

London Fashion Week offers the second showcase in the AW25 Fashion Week lineup.

Accompanying the trendsetting and stylish garments from designers were show-stopping manicures, which are set to dominate client requests in months to come. So, get prepared and scroll to discover the key trends spotted on the LFW catwalks.

Maximalist manis

Maximalist nail art has slowly been regaining popularity, making a statement against the trending ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, and LFW has confirmed its return. Manicurist, Ella Vivii, joined by assistant, @lil__claws, tended to the nails of Sinead Gorey models, creating multiple extravagant, 3D designs using The GelBottle Inc products. The most notable? Keychains for nails. Actual keys were decorated with beads spelling out the designer’s name, and attached to pierced nails.

Lace on lace was the brief for manicurist, Tyler Phoenix, who led nails for the Di Petsa AW25 catwalk. The design, using The GelBottle Inc products, featured a white base surrounded by lace material, covering the tips of models’ fingers and complementing the garments’ lace features.

Pearl embellishments

Elegant and timeless, a pearl decal will never go out of fashion: a statement confirmed at the Completedworks show. Session manicurist, Saffron Goddard, was assisted by Rebecca Orme for the luxe look, which paired perfectly with pearl accents within the show’s styling.

Silver pearl-like embellishments were also used in a stylish manicure by Sinead Gorey nail lead, Ella Vivii, and assistant, @lil__claws. The pearl decals matched those on the models’ shoes, creating a coherent finish. The duo used The GelBottle Inc products to achieve the striking look.

Hot red talons

The red hue dominated London Fashion Week, and is set to make a bold entrance on the inspiration boards of nail enthusiasts. Session manicurist, Tyler Phoenix, used a vampy red shade from The GelBottle Inc on Di Petsa models. On Instagram, described the feeling they wanted to create as ‘poetic and romantic’, to align with the clothes. The nail artist also added black lace to the cuticle area of the nails, providing a touch of ethereality.

Tyler also created this two-toned ombré look, with red cuticle cuffs blended into a chalky blue pastel hue for the Di Petsa catwalk. Once again, this encapsulated the romantic inspirations of the collection, using The GelBottle Inc products.

Short, red nails were also chosen for actress, Debi Mazar, who acted out a fictional live broadcast of a shopping channel during the Completedworks AW25 show. Manicurist, Saffron Goddard, was behind the simple but effective look.

Gold flakes

The Harris Reed show saw models flaunt matte black manicures enhanced with gold flakes, created by nail artist, Simone Cummings. The nail pro also dispersed gold flakes down clear nail tips for another standout design. Simone used Mii Cosmetics products to craft the designs.

Neutral nails

It wouldn’t be a trend roundup without a ‘barely there’ look, as spotted on the Emilia Wickstead AW25 catwalk. Simone Cummings, used Essie products for the subtle manicure, which complemented the muted tones of the designer’s clothing.

Ella Vivii and assistant, @lil__claws, also tuned into the neutral brief, creating this pink look for Sinead Gorey models using The GelBottle Inc products.