As part of Vogue Scandinavia’s Ode to the Beauty Artist series, we shine a light on the beauty teams behind the scenes of our shoots and films. We speak to Frida Selkirk who has made it her mission to turn nails into miniature artworks
She’s Scandinavia’s most sought-after catwalk nail artist, famous for her bold flashes of colour and for using the nail bed as a canvas to display her painterly designs. Here Frida Selkirk speaks to Vogue Scandinavia about what keeps her creatively inspired…
Do you see yourself as an artist?
I do, but perhaps more that, I see myself as a nail ‘stylist’. I’m not only painting, I’m dressing my client. I try to feel their mood and gauge their style.
Growing up, what informed your idea of beauty?
MTV was my fashion guru. Even as a young girl I saw colour combinations in everything. I discovered make-up and hair very early on and my friends became my canvas.
Frida Selkirk at work backstage ahead of the Ida Sjöstedt show.
At what point did you decide to pursue nail art as a career?
There was never a plan, it just happened. I have a pretty fearless spirit that helps me to follow and develop my ideas. I did a three-year economics degree thinking I could open my own hairdressers one day. At 18, I stumbled upon a small nail studio in central Stockholm and fell in love. I ended up interning there and in between clients I would do nail art on myself and got really good at it! Six years later I opened my own studio.
What was your first big break?
I’ve always gravitated towards the fashion industry so probably when I got to manage a nail team during Stockholm Fashion Week for the first time about 10 years ago. Or the first time I got asked to attend TV4’s Morning Show!
What does nail artistry mean to you?
It’s almost a kind of meditation! I love how you truly connect with another person. You hold their hand and make them feel good about themselves.
What keeps you creatively inspired?
My nail team – they are beautiful inside and out. They also keep me young and focused, and up to date when it comes to the latest fashion, blogs, Instagram and all the rest of the life trends that are out there. I love them.
Photo: Frida Selkirk nailstyling
What was the inspiration behind the look for Shima Niavarani?
My biggest inspiration was Shima herself! Her beautiful mind and artistry were like a compass and, together with the rest of the beauty squad on set, we turned the ideas into reality. I like to work in a group, where ideas flow and we take inspiration from each other. That way you always get the best result.
How important do you think the role of the beauty artist is for creating the transformations we see in shoots and on the runway?
Very important! I see a manicure as an accessory much more than just a beauty detail. Nails are something that you can dress up, play with and change, and they can make a huge difference to the final look. The beauty artist brings to life the statement a designer or art director wants to make, or the feeling they want to share in a shoot or on the catwalk.