When it comes to getting the perfect manicure, two sets of sisters are doin’ it for themselves in London. Siblings Lyndalouise and Joanna Burrell founded NailGirls, a salon and nail polish brand, earlier this year, while sisters Ange and Vernice Walker began selling their Rococo Nail Apparel line in Space NK in August.
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ROCOCO NAIL APPAREL
Ange and Vernice Walker
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The Walker sisters launched Rococo Nail Apparel in 2007. “It’s about fashion and using nail apparel as an accessory,” says Vernice. “We chose the name Rococo for the period in art history, which is associated with luxury and adorning oneself.”
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COLOR STORY
For seasonal color stories, the duo marry passion for fashion with inspiration from everyday life. “We use social as well as fashion trends,” says Vernice, noting the summer story was a bling-infused backlash against the credit crunch. Rococo comprises 40 shades in eight finishes. A clear polish dappled with 24-karat gold leaf, $36.50, is a bestseller.
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Celebrity followers are said to include PYTs Alexa Chung, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Lizzy Jagger.
FAMILY AFFAIRS
“We work well together,” says Vernice. “We say what we have to say and we don’t hold grudges. Ninety percent of the time we’re having fun.”
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NAILGIRLS
Lyndalouise and Joanna Burrell
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After returning to London from an 11-year stint as a New York–based fashion stylist, Lyndalouise was dismayed to discover that finding a good, affordable manicure was a challenge. Spotting an opportunity, she and sister Joanna set up NailGirls nail spa in Islington, with a 50-unit line of polishes and treatment items.
COLOR STORY
With a background in styling, Lyndalouise looks to the runway for inspiration. “It’s very fashion driven,” she says. For fall-winter, that means black-infused hues, while the holidays will feature sparkle effects. Popular shades include coral, classic reds and burgundy.
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Loyal local patrons, which range from “yummy mummies” (there’s space to park strollers) to television producers and lawyers. “It’s meant to be an affordable luxury,” says Joanna. A 17-ml. bottle of polish retails for $13; manicures start at $41.
FAMILY AFFAIRS
“It’s really nice working together,” says Lyndalouise. “Being sisters, [Joanna’s] successes have always been mine and vice versa.”