London Fashion Week spring/summer 2026 predicted these 5 nail trends
By Jess Watts | 24 September 2025 | Brands, Events, Feature, News
Lead image by Instagram.com/nailsbysammymac
The biggest event in the UK fashion calendar, London Fashion Week, burst onto runways across the city this September. The variety of shows, featuring spring/summer 2026 collections, heralded a new age: not just for fashion, but for nails.
The designs and colours showcased during Fashion Week tend to predict coming trends, and for SS26, there were five key themes that nod to the future of nails…
1. 3D embellishments
A popular nail addition, 3D effects add a unique textural element to fingertips. Tyler Phoenix of @_tylerphoenix_nails created pearl-embellished sets for the Dipseta SS26 collection, The Archaeology of Self. Inspired by sun, sand and sea, the mermaid-esque style utilised the neutral tones of the clothing to attract attention via pops of pearl.
2. Maximalism and geometric shapes
Manicurist, Ella Vivii (@ellavivii), created a myriad of intoxicating styles for the Chopova Lowena collection, Cheerlore. The fashion brand channelled Y2K boldness, alongside inspiration from sports mascots, for its brightly patterned collection. Ella and her team used products from The GelBottle Inc to craft intricate designs with neon, pastel and metallic shades.
3. Monochrome magic
Some things never go out of style, and OPI manicurist, Sammy Mac of @nailsbysammymac, proved this at the Pauline Dujancourt SS26 show, I am the seagull… No, that’s not it. Combining delicate black and white lace with a nude base from OPI, the nail looks echoed the sentiments behind the clothing collection: ‘light as feathers and vaporous, sensual and feminine’.
4. Popsicle polish
It seems that spring/summer 2026 will mark the return of popsicle-esque hues, including creamy oranges and bright coral. Paul Costelloe‘s collection, Boulevard of Dreams, is ‘a vibrant ode to femininity, freedom and the effortless glamour of 1967’.
Lead nail artist, Sophia Stylianou, and her team used Mii Cosmetics products to evoke a sense of vintage vibrancy, mirroring the bright colour palette of the collection.
Read about Scratch‘s experience at the Paul Costelloe show here.
5. Twinkling toes
Session manicurist, Ama Quashie, bejewelled the feet of models for the Burberry SS26 show. The brand commented on Instagram that its collection draws on ‘the spirit of live performance and the diverse energy of the UK’s music scene’. Ama’s pedicures certainly gave disco ball energy, and we are keen to see if this trend becomes a spring/summer staple.
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