Tough as nails: The avant-garde nail art you should dare to wear this winter

Beauty imitates art — these delicate hands seem plucked from renaissance paintings and the fresco ceilings of structures from a bygone era. Gracing the pages of the December - January issue of Vogue Scandinavia, we show the most daring nail trends of the season crafted by Cam Tran.

Precious gems, invaluable minerals, empty spirits and metallic chromes. From Midas’ golden finger, The Nazarene’s blessed coat and Thanatos’ sweet caress, pay close attention to what sits on the tip of your fingers, as it is the ultimate reiteration of art, craftsmanship and detail.

Silver, gold, diamonds and pearls. Take your riches and embellish your nails with chains, rings, and pendants to a level where functionality takes loss but high fashion and fine art win the battlefield. Literal memories of what once was. Bend the rules and break the mould to create art with what isn’t there, shadows of what can be.

The dichotomy of holy visuals with hell-like claws. Don’t force yourself between the heavens and tartarus — as one being is able to be none, and be both. Soft, slow, and delicate. Caress with the utmost care, as the fragile, glass-like life, can easily be marked even by the loveliest of talons.