Editor’s Note
This article explores how K-POP drives global fashion trends, from Y2K to balletcore, and highlights the creative work of artists like Tomoya Nakagawa, whose designs feature in popular music videos.
K-POP has been generating various fashion trends in recent years, such as Y2K, baggy charm, and balletcore. Their music videos are reproduced millions of times, and the outfits featured in them become the focus of attention every week. The Japanese artist creating the original nails and accessories for these MVs is Tomoya Nakagawa.
After starting to create nails using a 3D printer through self-study in 2020, his work was discovered in creative videos for artists like Björk and Chloe x Halle, leading to requests from renowned fashion icons like Kiko Mizuhara. Currently, he continues collaborations with K-POP stars such as NewJeans, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and XG.
Born in Tokyo. After graduating from high school, he experienced working as a company employee and at an apparel store. He started his business in 2015 and transitioned to being a nail artist in 2019. He currently resides in New York and is active internationally primarily as a 3D print nail artist.
While creating original items such as nails, hairpieces, and headpieces, he also contributes to promotions for artists’ outfits, MVs, and fashion brands. The design is primarily done using CAD software, shaping is performed with a 3D printer, and fine-tuning and painting are done by hand.
