10 showstopping nail styles from London Fashion Week SS27
By Helena Biggs | 23 September 2026 | Feature
Creative talent was showcased in droves at London Fashion Week, 17-21 September – as designers unveiled their collections for spring/summer 2027.
Venues across the capital hosted fashionistas, editors and celebrities who gathered to note styles, fabrics and shapes for the upcoming season. Backstage before each show, hair, make-up and nail teams worked to complement each show’s direction, and nail looks stepped up from regular nude to showcase art and colour.
Take a look at 10 of Scratch‘s hottest runway nail pics and note the nail stylists behind them…
1. Droplet nails for Alexander McQueen.
Session manicurist & salon owner, Ama Quashie, designed and keyed droplet nails for Alexander McQueen’s show, which focused on a homecoming and the power of the city of London.
2. Petals in pastels for Olivia Black.
London-based designer, Olivia Black, presented ‘Wish You Were Here’ – a collection inspired by the warmth, imagination and magic of remembered summers. Lead manicurist, Janel Grant, designed watercolour-style pastel nails with floral elements to complement the punchy pastels of the collection, and she used products from nail sponsor, CND™ (Sweet Squared). Scratch‘s Helena Biggs went backstage to view the creative process in motion. Click here to watch her roundup.
3. Witchy & wonderful for Chopova Lowena.
The GelBottle Inc sponsored manicurist, Ella Vivii, with products for Chopova Lowena’s SS27 presentation, which was held in a bowling alley. Inspired by otherworldly creatures, including witches, ghouls and water spirits, the nail art was varied – with black detailing amongst crystal embellishments, colour swirls and dark ombrés on pointed tips.
4. Ethereal ombrés for Dreaming Eli.
Dreaming Eli’s spring/summer 2027 collection was titled ‘Dreamers in Exile’, and fused memories of Sicily with the ‘places, objects and rituals’ that shape personalities. Nails were led by Nina K Nails and featured marbled grey and white tones on long nail tips with silver stud details.
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5. Dark direction for Edeline Lee.
Dark, short nails were the direction for Sammy MacDonald and her nail team, who used OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark hue on the nails of Edeline Lee’s models. The designer transformed a school sports hall into a stage for her presentation, which centred around ballet-inspired styles. Some models wore OPI Nail Lacquer with a matte top coat, and others wore OPI Xpress/On press-on nails in the hue.
6. Timeless elegance for Paul Costelloe.
Refined, natural and barely-there nail looks took centre stage at Paul Costelloe. Session stylist, Sophia Stylianou, led the nail team using Mii Cosmetics – choosing Mii Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Naturally Modest for fingers and toes, with Mii’s hydrating skincare range to ensure models’ skin glowed down the runway. View content from behind-the-scenes, captured by Scratch, here.
7. Bubbled beauties for Pauline Dujancourt.
Sponsored by OPI, Sammy MacDonald led the nail team for Pauline Dujancourt, using Xpress/On press-on nails in Bubble Bath and adding 3D elements to represent tears. This married with the presentation’s ’emotional textiles’, which featured dripping flowers amongst sheers and chiffons.
8. Polished grunge for ROKSANDA.
Roksanda presented her spring/summer 2027 collection at London’s National Theatre, with a focus on loose threads and flowing fabrics with a grungy yet ‘put together’ feel. Nails were glossy and clear, with occasional black stripes to nod to the theme. OPI sponsored the nails and lead artist, Sammy MacDonald.
9. Velvet nails for Simone Rocha.
The Old Bailey was the setting for Simone Rocha’s seasonal runway showcase, which featured sheer dresses, open jackets and bold florals. Rich shades extended to fingertips courtesy of Ama Quashie and her team, who created blue, black and red velvet textures on nails.
10. Naked Desire for Richard Quinn.
For Richard Quinn, lead manicurist, Emilija Dimovski, worked with a palette of soft, pink-toned sheers, including Mii’s Nail Lacquers in Naked Desire and Barely Blushing. The result was a fresh, sophisticated take on the barely-there manicure, highlighting sheer nails as a key trend for SS27.
