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Revision as of 11:48, 27 September 2024


Bernadette Thompson
Born1969
Yonkers, New York USA
NationalityAmerican
Years active1993-present
Known forNail art pioneer
Notable work"Money Nails" for Lil' Kim in "Get Money" music video
Websitebernadettethompson.com

Bernadette Thompson (born 1969) is an American celebrity manicurist and nail artist known for her innovative designs and collaborations with prominent figures across the music, fashion, and entertainment industries.[1] Since the mid-1990s, she has worked with a diverse array of celebrities, including Madonna, Mary J. Blige,[2] Kim Kardashian,[3] Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Sarah Jessica Parker,[4] Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Aaliyah, Beyoncé,[5] Lupita Nyong'o, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga.[6] Thompson's work has been featured in major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, and Essence.[2] She gained widespread recognition for creating the "money nails" design for Lil' Kim in 1995, which involved embedding real currency into acrylic nails and later became a part of the Museum of Modern Art's collection,[7] the first nail art to ever be included.[8][4] Beyond her celebrity collaborations, Thompson has worked with fashion designers like Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Louis Vuitton, contributing to editorial campaigns and runway shows.[2] Her work has influenced both street style and high fashion, playing a role in bringing creative nail art into mainstream acceptance.

Early life and education

Thompson was born in 1969 in Yonkers, New York.[9] During her upbringing, she casually styled hair and nails for friends, fostering an early interest in beauty and cosmetology. In 1993, she attended nail school part-time to formalize her skills.[2] Shortly after, she opened her first salon in Yonkers.[7][6]

Career

Early career and breakthrough

Thompson operated her salon for approximately six months[10] before receiving an opportunity to work with Hip Hop and R&B artist Mary J. Blige.[2] The connection was facilitated through Thompson's sister, Tanya, who had recently had her nails done by Thompson. Blige admired Tanya's nails and was surprised to learn they were done by Thompson, whom she knew from their shared upbringing. Blige reportedly sent a limousine to bring Thompson to collaborate with her.[9] This encounter marked the beginning of Thompson's associations with leading artists in the music industry.[6][4]

Collaborations with artists

Following her work with Mary J. Blige, Thompson began connecting with other prominent figures in the hip hop and R&B scenes.[6] Through industry connections, including those facilitated by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs,[3][2][9] she worked with artists such as Missy Elliott and Beyoncé, establishing herself as a sought-after manicurist in the entertainment sector.[11][4]

"Money Nails"

Creation and impact

In 1995, during the video shoot for "Get Money" by Junior M.A.F.I.A., Thompson created the "money nails" design for Lil' Kim.[12][13] Seeking to produce a distinctive and bold look, she embedded real $100 bills into acrylic nails.[14] Thompson told Harper's BAZAAR, "all she had were little short nails! So I went into my wallet, took money out, cut it up, and did a French manicure."[15] The design resonated with the song's themes and Lil' Kim's extravagant style. The "money nails" gained widespread attention and became emblematic of 1990s hip hop fashion, inspiring trends in nail art and popularizing elaborate nail designs in mainstream culture.[16][10][5][17][7]

Treasury department inquiry

The use of real currency in the "money nails" design led to a phone call from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, informing Thompson that defacing currency is a federal offense.[14][15][7] However, no charges were filed against her.[9]

Influence on fashion and nail art

The popularity of the "money nails" contributed to the integration of hip hop aesthetics into the broader fashion industry.[4] The design inspired other artists and designers to explore bold nail art, helping to bring such styles into the mainstream fashion dialogue.[7][17][13][15]

Work in the fashion industry

In 1998, Thompson began collaborating with fashion brands, including a partnership with Louis Vuitton.[6][11] Her entry into high fashion expanded her influence beyond music, allowing her to contribute to runway shows, editorial shoots, and campaigns. Her work bridged urban street styles with luxury fashion, reflecting a merging of cultural influences.[4][7]

Museum of Modern Art exhibition

In 2017, the Museum of Modern Art invited Thompson to recreate the "money nails" for inclusion in the exhibition "Items: Is Fashion Modern?" The design was showcased alongside iconic fashion pieces such as the little black dress, red lipstick, and Chanel No. 5 perfume.[7] The exhibition highlighted the cultural and artistic significance of her work within the context of modern fashion history.[18][14][19]

Legacy and public reception

Bernadette Thompson is considered a pioneer in nail artistry[20][19] and a leader in the industry. Face2Face Africa described her as "undoubtedly the go-to consultant for many A-list artists and Hollywood stars," noting that "her name has eventually become a household brand in almost every fashion magazine."[6] Her innovative designs and collaborations have influenced trends in both the beauty and fashion industries with Harper's BAZAAR highlighting of her work with Lil' Kim that "the result, now known as money nails, became a defining moment in the history of hip-hop and beauty. The look went viral before the internet did."[15] According to Elle Decor, "Money nails became a trending topic on Google... From then on, women of color would take the lead in a cultural rebirth for nail art, considered an affirmation of themselves and their aesthetic in a Eurocentric world."[13]

Thompson's work has played a role in bringing elaborate nail art into mainstream acceptance as The Washington Post remarked, "In the beginning, the nails were part of a hip-hop style, which was a separate category from what was then considered mainstream fashion... Thompson helped to change that." and declared her "nail art scrambled our assumptions about femininity, beauty and class."[7] Edition Magazine by Modern Luxury referred to Thompson as "the living legend behind the world's most culture-shifting nail art," noting that "the explosive popularity of modern nail art has its origins in the work Thompson started with fellow Yonkers, N.Y. native singer Mary J. Blige."[4]

Fashion Magazine credited Thompson as being "largely responsible for nails eventually becoming a major element of fashion shoots," adding that "trailblazers in the ’90s, like Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige... introduced [blinged-out tips] to the mainstream. And the woman behind them all was manicurist Bernadette Thompson."[11] Her influence has also led to manicurists receiving official credit in fashion photography, as cited by The Washington Post.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Francombe, Amy (2024-08-14). "3D manicures are the summer's big nail craze. Will it last?". Vogue Business. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Sullivan, Kate (2013-01-01). "Manicurist Bernadette Thompson on Mary J. Blige, the Man-Manicure, and More". Allure. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. ^ a b Monaé, Ashley (2015-05-06). "Manicurist Bernadette Thompson Talks Kim Kardashian's Met Gala Nails". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Harris, Isoul (2021-11-15). "Bernadette Thompson Talks Nail Art". Edition Modern Luxury.
  5. ^ a b Bangura, Musu (2017-11-15). "Lil Kim's "Get Money" Manicure To Be Featured In Museum of Modern Art Exhibition". HelloBeautiful - Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Hair Care for Black Women. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Nartey, Stephen (2023-05-11). "How celebrity nail artist Bernadette Thompson became an A-list consultant for Hollywood stars". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Givhan, Robin (2021-12-03). "How Lil' Kim's most memorable manicure ended up in the Museum of Modern Art". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  8. ^ Staff, Scratch (2020-10-02). "Honouring UK Black History Month in Nails". Scratch. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  9. ^ a b c d "The Origin Story of Lil' Kim's Money Manicure". ELLE Canada Magazine | Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Trends & Celebrity News. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  10. ^ a b "How both Black and Vietnamese women have shaped American nail salons". TODAY.com. 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  11. ^ a b c Michael, Souzan (2018-08-22). "Meet Bernadette Thompson, The Manicurist". Fashion Magazine.
  12. ^ "From Estheticians to Execs: 20 BTS Beauty Icons Making the Industry Better". Byrdie. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  13. ^ a b c "The Story of Nail Art: When Nails Became a Full-Fledged Design Accessory". ELLE Decor (in Italian). 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  14. ^ a b c "The Role Black Women Have Played On The Biggest Nail Trends Throughout The Years". The Zoe Report. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  15. ^ a b c d "Welcome to the Golden Age of Nail Art". Harper's BAZAAR. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  16. ^ "Between Her Work on Rap Videos and Magazine Shoots, Manicurist Bernadette Thompson Knows Nails... | Vogue | JULY 1998". Vogue | The Complete Archive. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  17. ^ a b Branch, Kate (2018-05-23). "From Gigi Hadid to Cardi B, Nail Bling is Officially Badder Than Ever". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  18. ^ "Iconic Money Nails Now Exhibiting at Museum of Modern Art in New York". Nailpro. 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  19. ^ a b "14 Black Nail Artists Making an Impact in the Beauty Industry". Byrdie. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  20. ^ "EFOC 2024: Best Moments From Day Two At AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA". Essence. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-09-26.


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