5 Asian Nail Artists Behind the Met Gala’s Most Iconic Manicures
With its growing influence in global style, Asian fashion and beauty have become a powerful presence on Western red carpets and across the digital sphere. One place where this influence truly shines? The Met Gala, where culture and creativity all overlap on fashion’s biggest night. While headlines spotlight unique gowns and bold silhouettes, the red carpet wouldn’t be complete without the nail designs crafted by Asian celebrity manicurists. From Gigi Hadid and Marc Jacobs to Greta Lee, Emma Chamberlain and Cardi B, these artists have helped shape beauty trends, all while paying homage to their culture and roots.
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and ahead of the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” EnVi is spotlighting the Asian nail artists whose intricate manicures have left a lasting impression on the Met Gala and pop culture alike.
Thuy Nguyen
Vietnamese nail artist Thuy Nguyen is known for her minimalist yet elegant approach, proving that complementing an outfit rather than outshining it, too, can elevate a look flawlessly. This is evident in the pearlescent nails she gave Jenna Ortega at the Emmys, or the bold red manicure that matched Elizabeth Olsen’s lipstick at the Golden Globes.
At the 2024 Met Gala, Nguyen delivered standout looks for Gabrielle Union-Wade and Emma Chamberlain, using accessible Sally Hansen products to craft both designs. Union-Wade’s shimmering, seashell-inspired nails matched her scale-patterned Michael Kors gown, while Chamberlain’s look featured textured lace details, as Nguyen collaborated closely with Chamberlain’s stylist to get her hands on the same lace fabric to incorporate into the manicure. Both looks proved that red carpet-worthy nails don’t have to come with a luxurious price tag.
Nguyen’s work is part of a larger Vietnamese American history in the nail industry. After the Vietnam War, many Vietnamese immigrants and refugee families turned to manicuring as a path to financial independence, eventually transforming the American salon landscape. Vietnamese-Americans own a significant amount of salons nationwide, comprising 35 to 40 percent of nail salons, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This shows a legacy of resilience, skill, and community that Nguyen proudly carries forward.
Naomi Yasuda
Known for her unique, trendy, and textured nails, Japanese manicurist Naomi Yasuda has made a name for herself by pushing the boundaries of nail design. After studying nail design at Chunichi Beauty College in Nagoya, Japan, Yasuda moved to New York City in 2007 where her designs have since appeared on artists like KATSEYE and Sabrina Carpenter, and on some of the biggest red carpets in fashion.
At the 2024 Met Gala, Yasuda’s signature style was worn by many notable names. For Greta Lee’s first Met Gala, she created frosted aura nails using Gel-X tips and a milky white finish, capturing the dreamlike look of Lee’s silver Loewe ensemble. Rita Ora’s look, on the other hand, took on a peculiar, dimensional style with soft gel orbs hand-made using Extend Gel on top of a nude base. The blue, brown, orange, and yellow bubbles matched the colors of Ora’s beaded Marni dress.
She also made the iconic long purple almond nails for Erykah Badu, matching the artist’s otherworldly, avant-garde floral gown from Comme des Garçons’ Spring 2024 collection and its bold prints and voluminous textures.
Eri Ishizu
Japanese nail artist Eri Ishizu brings a creative whimsy to celebrity nail design, often incorporating 3D elements, floral designs, and subtle nods to traditional Japanese aesthetics. At the 2024 Met Gala, Ishizu created customized manicures for Lizzo and Ayo Edebiri, which further elevated their getup, tying their looks into the event’s theme.
For Lizzo, Ishizu created translucent stiletto nails adorned with large, shiny glass-like 3D flowers. The dreamy design mirrored the petal motifs of Lizzo’s soft pink sheer floral dress and matched with sheer gloves, creating a surreal, eccentric appearance.
Ayo Edebiri’s nails featured a more delicate take on florals, with pastel petals and soft textures that matched the intricate lace embroidery of her white Loewe gown. The elegance in the intricate details and flowers are reminiscent of kanzashi (traditional Japanese hair ornaments), showcasing Ishizu’s imaginative artistry that also reflects her heritage.
Jenny Bui
Nail artist Jenny Bui is the self-dubbed “Queen of Bling,” famous for her crystal-studded creations and being the mastermind behind rapper Cardi B’s signature nail looks. Her designs, distinguished by elaborate layers of jewels and rhinestones, exude luxury and have appeared on numerous red carpets, including the Met Gala. She owns two salons in New York City, namely Jenny’s Spa in The Bronx and Nails on 7th Ave in Harlem.
Some of Bui’s most notable work, along with her daughter Cianna Bui, includes dressing up the nails of fashion designer Marc Jacobs himself during the 2024 Met Gala with black and emerald jewels, as well as the iconic red-studded nails for Cardi B during the 2019 Met Gala to match her dramatic Thom Browne gown, which featured a 10-foot train and thousands of red feather.
Born in Cambodia, from which she fled the Khmer Rouge regime as a child, Bui eventually landed in New York City in the early 1990s. There, she enrolled in cosmetology school and found an unexpected passion for nail art. Since then, she has turned that passion into a thriving career, known for adorning celebrities with dazzling designs. Her work was even featured across 12 pages in Swarovski’s Book of Dreams: Volume III. Now, Bui continues to leave her bling on the industry.
Mei Kawajiri
Japanese nail artist Mei Kawajiri has become a revered name in the fashion industry. Based in New York City, Kawajiri’s work is known for its intricate designs that push the boundaries of conventional nail art. She often draws inspiration from Japanese art and Harajuku fashion culture, sporting big charms and vibrant color combinations. Kawajiri was the hidden star of the 2024 Met Gala, as her bold and colorful styles graced the hands of Amelia Gray, who wore yellow see-through nails to match her transparent ensemble; Amanda Seyfried, who opted for a silver look; Troye Sivan, whose nails reflected a midnight sky theme; Dua Lipa whose bold red nails matched her hair; and Rosalia, who wore an elegant cream color against her black dress.
What created the most buzz, however, was Gigi Hadid’s 3D floral nails, which featured hand-sculpted yellow roses on top of a French manicure, complementing Hadid’s Thom Browne gown and the event’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme. It was the perfect combination of classic and fun, further showcasing Kawajiri’s ability to merge her cultural influences with contemporary fashion and solidifying her reputation in the celebrity nail art world.
Want to read more about the iconic looks at last year’s Met Gala? Check our EnVi’s 2024 Gala Recap here!
