The manicure as we know it has been around for less than a century, but it's become a major presence in the culture of fashion, with its own trends, fads, and fringe aspects.
Nails draws on an incredible range of pop-cultural images, from early 20th century beauty manuals and classic Hollywood glamour shots to hip-hop music videos and fine art. It also features gorgeous nail-centric images from iconic fashion photographers including Nickolas Muray, Richard Avedon, and Guy Bourdin. A series of contemporary photo essays rounds out the volume with an international survey of the most vital pockets of manicure culture today: from hipster nails in London to outre nail art in Tokyo. Unique, accessible, and authoritative, Nails brilliantly connects the painted nail to the history of women's fashion and the evolution of beauty.
