Off-kilter manicures had a big moment at London Fashion Week, from Ama Quashie’s plush blue velvet nails at Simone Rocha to Chopova Lowena’s Slavic fable-inspired designs by Ella Vivii.

While translating manicures from the runway to real life isn’t always straightforward (“you recreate these velvet nails at home, but they won’t be the longest lasting… they come off as soon as you wash your hands,” Quashie said, laughing, backstage at the show), experimental looks are perfect for Halloween, or for the particularly adventurous. On ’s nail art inspo board this October? Schiaparelli-coded eyeballs, amber encapsulated bugs… even Rapunzel-esque human hair nails.

Below, find 21 avant-garde Halloween nail ideas to inspire your seasonal manicure.

Referencing witches, fairies, mermaids and more, Ella Vivii’s nail art at Chopova Lowena’s spring/summer 2027 show was rife with Halloween-worthy inspiration.

A Touch of Velvet

To achieve these velvety soft nails, Ama Quashie simply cut up fabric and fixed them onto the nails using nail glue.

Shake up a classic red nail with techie detailing, style.

Schiaparelli-coded eyeballs

Equal parts sinister and Schiaparelli-coded, keep an eye on things with these nails.

Addison Rae enthusiasts – and anyone feeling a bit peckish – might enjoy this apple skin art.

Jamie-Maree Shipton’s nails by @ add the perfect pop to any outfit.

Punch a French manicure up with some silver studs.

Get hyper-realistic with tree bark nails.

These cobweb nails are glammed up with gems and a dash of glitter.

These eye-catching nails are reminiscent of a mermaid’s scales.

Rapunzel, rapunzel! Make guests at your Halloween party do a double take with these human hair nails.

What better way to channel the creepy-crawlies than with amber-trapped bug nails?

Smoke screen

Smoky nail designs offer more of a subdued – but still suitably spooky – take on a Halloween manicure.

As Lady Gaga once said: “Show me your teeth.”

Rubber ducks

For those who prefer their party nails to be fun, not frightening.

A classic design, these zebra nails are given a fresh twist when painted on clear acrylics.

Going hardcore for Halloween can be subtle. Simply spell it out…

Life’s a circus, after all.

Vampire fangs

These fangs would complete any vampire costume.

Tap into the mystical with a tarot-inspired design.