The nail looks that stole the show at London Fashion Week AW26
By Jess Watts | 25 February 2026 | News & Events
London Fashion Week returned from 19-23 February 2026, showcasing highly anticipated autumn/winter clothing collections.
Across the capital city, designers transformed runways into statements of intent: bold predictions for where fashion is headed. Among the details commanding attention were nail looks, which were considered, eye-catching and very much destined to have a moment of their own. Here’s what autumn/winter 2026 manicures had to say…
Melting manis
Karoline Vitto’s AW26 collection, Thaw, was built around fluid fabrics ‘designed to move with the body rather than reshape it’. London-based nail artist, Tyler Phoenix (@_tylerphoenix_nails), leaned into the melting mood board, crafting a sheer ombré design finished with 3D teardrop accents.
Nostalgic nails
Womenswear brand, Sinead Gorey, channelled Y2K nostalgia on its AW26 runway – and this energy carried all the way to fingertips. Lead nail artist, Ella Vivii, sealed the aesthetic with a crackle finish using OPI, capturing the mood perfectly on Instagram by writing: “Wake up babe, it’s 2012.”
Cat eye claws
Inspired by a snake shedding its skin, Di Petsa’s AW26 collection – titled ‘Medusa’s Lover’, wove themes of transformation and desire throughout every detail. Lead nail artist, Tyler Phoenix, carried the motif all the way to fingertips, using shimmering cat eye polish to create a look as hypnotic and sensual as the collection.
All that glitters
Glitz and glam dominated the runway of designer, Julien Macdonald OBE. The light-catching clothes were coupled with chrome-accented nails, courtesy of the Glitterbels team – led by co-founder, Annabel Maginnis. Team members used the brand’s Brush On Builder Gel in Inner Piece and Hema Free Gel Polish in 90’s Baby as bases, topped with various shades of chrome.
Eggshell chic
Womenswear designer, Pauline Dujancourt, has long championed a singular vision: ‘for women to feel their presence and importance in the world’, and her AW26 collection pushed that intention further than ever. Drawing on the condemnation of witchcraft and the idiom ‘walking on eggshells’, models literally did just that, crushing scattered eggshell pieces underfoot.
The nails were a natural extension of the narrative, as lead nail technician, Rebecca Orme (@rebeccaorme.sessiontech), translated the aesthetic directly onto nails, rendering delicate white eggshell patterns that felt equal parts fragile and defiant.
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Tailored talons
The Paul Costelloe brand made an emotional return to London Fashion Week with its first show since the passing of the eponymous designer. New creative director, William Costelloe, paid tribute to his late father, while also demonstrating the brand’s future direction. The AW26 collection played with proportions, featuring structured silhouettes and fabrics such as wool and tweed.
Lead nail technician, Sophia Stylianou (@sophiastylianou_), opted for nail looks featuring a ‘deep burgundy [shade] to complement the warmth and power of the collection’. Sophia used Mii Cosmetics Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Roasted Chestnut, alongside Tweezerman tools.
Chrome celebration
Womenswear brand, Edeline Lee, celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special showcase at London Fashion Week. Alongside debuting its AW26 collection, the design house revealed a surprise book launch that reminisces on the brand founder’s career.
The nail looks for the show were sponsored by OPI, a nail brand that is also celebrating its own milestone – 45 years of iconic nail products. In accordance with the celebratory nature of the showcase, lead nail tech, Sammy MacDonald (@nailsbysammymac), gilded models’ nails in gold. She used OPI GelColor in This Gold Slays Me, alongside an unreleased chrome by the brand, Mermaid For Me.
A story of strength
Celebrity nail artist, Chiara Ballisai, crafted two looks for designer, Hector Maclean’s AW26 showcase. The collection was inspired by Hector’s Polish grandmother, ‘exploring the softness of heritage, contrasted with strength, survival and evolution’. Chiara told Scratch: “Together, the two looks tell a story of opposition, softness and survival, fragility and fortitude, strongly mirroring the emotional journey behind Hector’s AW26 collection.”
The nail looks were created using The GelBottle Inc and Peacći products.
