CIATÉ
To manicure maverick Charlotte Knight, the shiny finish on traditional nail lacquers seems downright boring. The energetic British entrepreneur, and founder of the niche nail-care line Ciaté, has turned the whole notion of nail polish on its ear with textural—and in some cases three-dimensional—nail finishes such as caviar, sequins and velvet. All three textures, which are sold in two-step kits, proved to be bestsellers this year for the five-year-old company. Knight, a nail technician by training who previously operated a chain of nail bars by the same name, created the nail-products line in 2007. She launched Ciaté in the U.S. this past January, attracting the attention of Sephora, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor. Celebrities and models are also fans. Knight’s clients include Helena Christensen, Agyness Deyn and Jessica Stam, among others. The Ciaté collection includes a rainbow assortment of intensely pigmented nail lacquers, ranging from Glametal (deep gold glitter) to Skinny Jeans (electric blue), an assortment that’s as vibrant as this brand’s future.