behind the
hands
Nails have always been part of my story. As a Vietnamese American, I grew up in the salon, watching my mother build a life for our family through the nail industry, a symbol of resilience, artistry, and the pursuit of the American Dream. What began as her way of providing became my greatest inspiration.
By the time I was eight, I was experimenting with every polish she brought home, falling in love with nails as a form of self-expression.
In high school, I began working alongside her. Those moments side by side weren’t just about learning technique, they were about connection. I saw how a simple set of nails could lift someone’s confidence, bring joy, or mark an important moment in their life. That’s when I realized nails were more than just a service. They were personal, intimate, and transformative.
Over the years, the salon shaped my foundation. It gave me skill, discipline, and an appreciation for detail. But as I grew, so did my vision. I began to see nails as more than part of a routine, they could live in the same space as fashion, art, and storytelling. They could complement a runway look, complete an editorial image, or act as a statement on their own.
Now, I’m carving my own path as a Handscaper—a title I use because I see hands as landscapes, and nails as canvases waiting to be transformed. My work bridges artistry and individuality, creating designs that move beyond beauty into meaning. I want to bring nails into creative spaces where they haven’t always been seen, collaborating with designers, stylists, and artists to show how powerful the smallest details can be.
For me, nails are not just an accessory. They are art in motion, tiny worlds of color, shape, and story that move with you, speak for you, and leave an impression long after.
By the time I was eight, I was experimenting with every polish she brought home, falling in love with nails as a form of self-expression.
In high school, I began working alongside her. Those moments side by side weren’t just about learning technique, they were about connection. I saw how a simple set of nails could lift someone’s confidence, bring joy, or mark an important moment in their life. That’s when I realized nails were more than just a service. They were personal, intimate, and transformative.
Over the years, the salon shaped my foundation. It gave me skill, discipline, and an appreciation for detail. But as I grew, so did my vision. I began to see nails as more than part of a routine, they could live in the same space as fashion, art, and storytelling. They could complement a runway look, complete an editorial image, or act as a statement on their own.
Now, I’m carving my own path as a Handscaper—a title I use because I see hands as landscapes, and nails as canvases waiting to be transformed. My work bridges artistry and individuality, creating designs that move beyond beauty into meaning. I want to bring nails into creative spaces where they haven’t always been seen, collaborating with designers, stylists, and artists to show how powerful the smallest details can be.
For me, nails are not just an accessory. They are art in motion, tiny worlds of color, shape, and story that move with you, speak for you, and leave an impression long after.
