BEHIND THE SCENES

Behind the Nails: Met Gala 2025 – A Journey Through "Superfine" Style

This year’s Met Gala paid tribute to the legacy and evolution of Black dandyism with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s seminal book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibit celebrated the creativity, elegance, and expressive power of Black style across time and culture, explored through 12 immersive sections that define the dandy aesthetic.

For the red carpet, that translated into everything from sharp tailoring and high-shine fabrics to elaborate embellishments and personal statements—and the nails followed suit. My team and I began preparing a week in advance, with official manicures kicking off three days before the event. From sheer nudes to crystal-encrusted drama, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the nail stories we brought to life for some of fashion’s most iconic figures.

Anne Hathaway: Clean, Sheer, Modern

Anne has always favored a sheer pink—but not just any sheer pink. For the Met Gala, where she stunned in a custom Carolina Herrera gown by Creative Director Wes Gordon, we used her favorite polish: JINsoon Pixie, paired with Power Coat base and Top Gloss Top Coat for a clean, modern finish. The result was soft, fresh, and quietly powerful—exactly in tune with her super fine elegance.

anne

 

Credits 

  • Dress: Carolina Herrera by Wes Gordon 
  • Makeup: Jillian Dempsey @jilliandempsey
  • Hair: Orlando Pita @hairbyorlandopita
  • Nails: Jin Soon Choi @jinsoonchoi
  • Products: JINsoon Power Coat, Pixie, Top Gloss Top Coat

Miley Cyrus: The New Nude

Miley embraced a chic, pared-down manicure with short nails in a creamy nude shade. We used her new favorite gel polish, OPI “Do You Take Lei Away?”—a universally flattering nude that complements her skin tone and versatile wardrobe. For fans of traditional lacquer, we recommend JINsoon Nostalgia, a near match. Her Alaïa gown, soft glam makeup, and sleek hair all worked beautifully with the understated nails.

miley

 

Credits

  • Dress: Custom Alaïa by Pieter Mulier @pieter_mulier
  • Makeup: James Kaliardos @jameskaliardos
  • Hair: Bob Recine @bobrecine
  • Nails: Jin Soon Choi @jinsoonchoi
  • Products: OPI Gel Do You Take Lei Away, CND Shellac Base & Top Coat

Alex Consani: Sheer Glam Almonds

For Alex’s first Met Gala—dressed in Swarovski—she wanted a timeless, elegant nail to complement her look. We tested options with crystals but ultimately landed on a medium almond shape with a soft sheer finish. Using CND Shellac shades Romantique and Beau in layered coats, we created a milky pink nude that felt sophisticated yet youthful.

For a polish version, try JINsoon Muse layered with Pixie, finished with Top Gloss for a gel-like sheen. 

alex

 

Credits 

  • Stylist: @mr_carlos_nazario
  • Fashion: @swarovski @giovannaengelbert
  • Hair: @jimmypaulhair
  • Nails: @jinsoonchoi
  • Makeup: @makeupbydmitry for @patmcgrathreal
  • Products: Aprés Natural Almond Tips (Medium), CND Shellac Romantique & Beau, CND Shellac Top Coat

Sora Choi: Crystal-Adorned Drama

Sora Choi brought the sparkle to the Met Gala—head to toe. Once we received the design for her ethereal light blue Swarovski gown, my team and I created custom nail samples to echo the crystalline details. We layered abstract sapphire tones and meticulously hand-applied Swarovski Light Sapphire ss5 crystals onto Aprés Gel-X Natural Almond tips for a seamless finish.

To achieve the perfect base, we blended Leafgel K06 and 805 to create a sheer, jelly-like wash that allowed the crystals to shine without overpowering the look. Prepping the crystal designs took over three hours—but every facet was worth it. On the day of the Met Gala, we used gel to securely attach each pre-decorated tip, ensuring long-lasting brilliance for the red carpet.

sora

Recreate the Look at Home

For a polish-based version:

  1. Mix JINsoon Power Coat with a hint of Sea Clay to create a soft, sheer blue base.
  2. Apply JINsoon Top Gloss for a glassy finish.
  3. Adorn with small crystals using nail glue, placing them in your desired pattern.

Credits

  • Dress: Swarovski 
  • Makeup: Jonathan Wu @jonathanwumua for Pat McGrath Labs
  • Hair: Sang Choo @hairchoochoo
  • Nails: Jin Soon Choi @jinsoonchoi
  • Assistant: Serena Lin @beautopia_serena
  • Products: Aprés Natural Almond Tips, Leafgel K06 & 805, CND Shellac top coat, Swarovski Light Sapphire ss5

Henry Taylor: Matte Black with a Logo Twist

Renowned artist Henry Taylor, known for his bold portraits and cultural impact, made a statement at the Met Gala 2025—not just with his presence, but with his nails. Invited by Pharrell Williams and dressed in Louis Vuitton, Henry initially considered classic black nails but pivoted to something more personal: a matte black manicure with a subtle LV logo accent.

We used CND Shellac Black Pool for the base and finished it with a matte top coat. My team meticulously hand-painted the LV logo using gel polish while I gave him a clean, groomed manicure. The result? A design that was fashion-forward, refined, and uniquely his.

Want to Try the Look at Home? Here’s How to DIY a Logo Nail Accent:

  1. Print or pull up the logo (like LV) on your phone or computer screen.
  2. Place a clear piece of nail art plastic or acrylic over the logo.
  3. Trace the logo carefully using JINsoon Absolute Black nail polish and a fine brush or dotting tool.
  4. Let the logo dry completely, then apply a coat of JINsoon Top Gloss over it.
  5. Once fully dry, apply JINsoon Matte Maker to your natural nails.
  6. Gently lift the logo decal off the plastic using tweezers and place it onto the desired nail.
  7. Seal with a dot of Top Gloss if needed for secure adhesion.

This is an easy way to add a fashion house flourish to your nails without needing advanced nail art skills.

Credits

  • Attire: Louis Vuitton
  • Nails: Jin soon Choi @jinsoonchoi
  • Assistant: Serena Lin @beautopia_serena
  • Products: CND Shellac Base, Black Pool, Matte Top Coat

This year’s Met Gala proved once again that nails are more than just an accessory—they’re an extension of the story. Whether sheer, nude, matte, or crystal-encrusted, each look was tailored to reflect the personality, style, and vision of the person wearing it. I’m so proud of my team and honored to be part of these unforgettable moments.

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