“Goodbye for now…”

Hello Scratch readers – Kat here!

It’s with very mixed emotions that I write that today marks my last day at Scratch magazine. While I am excited for a new adventure, the decision to move on was not easy after nearly six happy years on the team.

When I first joined Scratch way back in July 2015 as a news & features writer, I had a huge passion for nails – but nothing could prepare me for the world I was about to enter!

The professional nail realm is nothing short of magic, from the innovative products and passionate companies behind them, to the talented technicians creating stunning designs. There are so many stories to tell, and it has been a pleasure to share them through the many, many articles and features I’ve written in my time at Scratch. We joke in the office that there is never a dull day in this industry, and that is thanks to you, Scratch readers.

During my time at Scratch, I’ve been lucky enough to help grow The Great Scratch Shoot Out (-entry is currently opening for this year’s competition! Shameless plug, I know). I’ve loved witnessing the career opportunities this photographic competition has unlocked for so many entrants. Crowning the winners at the on-stage ceremony at Olympia Beauty was always such a triumph.

On stage presenting The Great Scratch Shoot Out winners

Through the competition, I’ve met so many talented nail pros. Ivana Prokic scooped the title not once but twice, and I could not have been happier for her each time. I also remember meeting (and hugging!) the very excitable Catriona Leith when she bounced up onto the stage in 2016 to claim her victory.

I was also able to hand 2019 winner Nina Lewis her trophy on the Scratch stand. On viewing our live social media stream of the announcement and hearing she’d won, Nina dashed to the venue in disbelief to claim her prize! I also had the pleasure of meeting the lovely and very talented Hannah Missen in 2017.

I very much enjoyed chatting to every single entrant of the competition either over email, or to those that would take the time to visit the Scratch stand at Olympia Beauty to collect their participation certificates.

In 2019, I was lucky enough to travel with Helena to Orlando, Florida for the Premiere Orlando trade exhibition. Attending a seminar with Doug Schoon and witnessing his incredible teachings in person has to be a career highlight. The trip also gave us the chance to meet with Beth Livesay, the NAILS Magazine team and the NTNA finalists. A personal highlight was squeezing in a visit to Walt Disney World Resort while away on the trip.

With Helena at Disney World Resort in Florida

My role at Scratch has allowed me to attend many training sessions, product launches and press events.

I always enjoyed training events in particular: these educational events always have such an excitable energy to them – inevitable with so many passionate professionals in one room!

Reporting backstage at various Fashion Weeks has also been something I thoroughly enjoyed. Seeing the incredible Marian Newman at work backstage (especially at the extravagant Vivienne Westwood showcases) was always such an amazing experience. It was always incredible to see how a nail design – be it a subtle nail look or something completely avant-garde – played a role in the story of a collection showcase. I would also like to thank Kristine Toce for inviting me to join her nail team on a few occasions, allowing me to put my own nail training to good use. I will remember being part of that backstage buzz for a very long time!

Working backstage at London Fashion Week

Another highlight would have to be hitting 100k followers on Instagram last year. The milestone felt like such a victory after so much hard work from the team during lockdown, especially through what was such a time of uncertainty on many levels.

What I will miss the most is working closely with the team at Scratch HQ. As readers, I know how much you enjoy the end product, but – my goodness! – the hard work, dedication and pure passion that goes into the magazine is unrivalled. The magazine is more than its printed pages. I am so proud to have been part of the community it has grown.

I have so many amazing memories from working with the Scratch team that I will treasure for a very long time. There are too many to share here! From the team lunches, office Halloween parties to the day-to-day laughter at in-jokes. Despite the truly unsettling year we saw in 2020, I feel so very fortunate to have been part of such a strong, anchored team during that scary time.

Team Halloween day

Helena and Alex, and the rest of the team (both present and past), have an unbelievable, immeasurable amount of respect for nail professionals and the wider sector. You, as an industry, are incredibly lucky to have them on your side.

I will always, always champion the nail professional – for the caring service they offer their clients and wider community, but also the kind, smart, compassionate, creative and funny people behind the incredible talent. While I am moving away from the nail & beauty industry, you will always have a big fan in me.

I know last year was incredibly tough for the industry, but I do also hope it has helped you all see your worth. What you ‘do’ is far, far more than ‘just doing nails’.

Thank you to everyone for making my Scratch journey one to remember. I wish nothing but success to every single one of you.

It will take me some time getting use to introducing myself as ‘Kat’, and not ‘Kat from Scratch’!

See you soon,

Kat

P.s – if you want to stay in touch, I would love to hear from you! You can find me on Instagram.