The most major manicures of 2026 have tended to fall into one of two camps: elevated minimalism or megawatt. At Vogue World 2026: Milano, nail artist Eri Narita used Manucurist to tick off both trends, and all while nodding to the event’s theme of true craftsmanship.
Generations of models, from Gigi Hadid and Vittoria Ceretti to Mariacarla Boscono, all switched up their nail art at the same rate as their runway looks. For each chapter of the show (read all about the Acts here), there was a new nail for guests on the front row to catch a glimpse of. With Italy’s legacy fashion houses – Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Gucci – crafting one-of-a-kind pieces for the event, the manicures just had to match.
For the first two acts, the focus was on natural nails. “I based these looks on my own interpretation of natural nails,” Narita said backstage on the day of Vogue World, in between prep time with her 25-strong team. “Natural nails should first feel clean and refined, and never distract from the overall styling,” she added. “Using nude shades that complement the skin tone helps create a healthy and polished appearance.” Prep was important for all the models walking the runway, with the nails made neat and relatively short, then polished with Manucurist shades Beige and Pale Rose. “They complement a wide variety of skin tones,” she said of the vegan and plant-based Paris brand. Depending on the model, she mixed both to achieve the desired nude.
Ever heard of the Italian nail technique? Not to worry if not – Narita describes it as a niche, specialised process even within the world of nail artistry. It’s a precise bit of work, where the polish is taken as close to the cuticle base as possible without touching the skin, and a small line of nail is left bare along the sidewalls to create the illusion of a much more elongated nail bed. extensions! With the third act’s theme taking inspiration from Italian aesthetics, the technique felt like a natural choice for Narita: a subtle, graphic look.
“To create a stronger and more graphic effect, I exaggerated the side gaps slightly more than usual, allowing the nails to appear even longer and more architectural,” she explained. “The technique works beautifully with both bold and understated shades, and can be adapted to virtually any nail shape.” These designs used the Manucurist’s red, black and pink shades. (You could, she said, try it with metallic finishes and other bolder collections for an “equally modern and striking result”.)
The second part of this section saw Narita respond to the runway’s big patterns and prints, bringing texture onto the nail tips with a slick of Manucurist gold. “What I particularly enjoy about this concept is its versatility,” she said. “With darker shades, it can feel sophisticated and elegant during winter, while transparent or lighter shades can create a fresher and more airy effect during summer. The result is a nail design that feels both innovative and effortlessly cool.”
For the fourth chapter, based around the collision between craftsmanship and technology, Narita created a translucent neon look. Not a jelly nail, but a light and sheer matte. “I wanted the nails to feel light and effortless, rather than a fully saturated finish.” It also responded to the neon colours of the models’ hats: highlighter pinks, high-octane yellows and lime greens taken from Manucurist’s expansive collection of neons, that felt super modern but also refined. As Narita notes, the shades work beautifully across skin tones.
For chapter five, which looked to the future, Narita proposed a design close to one of her own signature styles: a natural nude base framed with a fine, precise white outline. At Vogue World: Paris, she created a similar concept using a black outline. This season, however, the models were wearing white dresses, so she wanted “something softer that would not compete with the garments, while still adding a subtle edge.” Narita also added a single gemstone to the nail tip, topping off a simple yet elegant and graphic style.
“This design is also highly adaptable,” she shares. “The outline could be recreated in different colours; each nail could feature a different shade; or the line could even be black.” The final look, then, echoed the first section of the show’s natural nails.
And for her own set? Narita painted the colours of the Italian flag with the Vogue World logo across all 10 nails, combining the Manucurist’s Amande with Lime, a white, and Lava in neat colour blocks with a fine liner brush. Of course, all executed with the Italian nail technique.
For Narita, the show had a through line as precise as her painting skills: natural tones, graphic techniques, innovative textures and vibrant colour concepts that speak to Vogue World: Milano’s theme of craft and creativity.
Vogue World: Milano was made possible by presenting sponsors ALO, eBay, Eli Lilly and Company, and Meta Glasses. Additional support is provided by FedEx and OpenAI.
Vogue would like to thank Benetton, Campari, Davines, Eataly, Fiat, Galvanina, Novelty, Palazzo Giureconsulti, Santa Maria Novella, and Teatro alla Scala. Vogue World: Milano hospitality partners include Casa Brera, Château Monfort, Mandarin Oriental Milan, NH Milano Touring Collection, Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá, Rosa Grand Milano – Starhotels Collezione, Residenza del Cardinale Meliá Collection, Straf Hotel, and Vik Retreats.