Marina Iwakoshi On The Top Nail Trends For Fall 2023

In today’s world, manicures make headlines. There are show-stopping nails on artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. It’s no longer just a manicure, in 2023, nails are Instagram-breaking high art.

New York-based Japanese nail artist Marina Iwakoshi knows a thing or two about nails. She is a nail artist who has been working at Vanity Projects since 2017, and her celebrity client roster includes working with Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner, Irish actress Ruth Negga and Hollywood star, Laura Harrier, for the MET Gala. She also has done nails for Whoopi Goldberg, Keke Palmer and Serena Williams for the US Open, as well.

With over 10 years in the business, Marina absolutely relishes the ability to work with a wide variety of clients in New York City.

“Women in New York City have next-level style,” she said. “I love when people express their style through their nails and allow me to be super creative.”

For fall 2023, Iwakoshi notes that dark, autumn colors pair well with dark fall outfits, denim and plush coats. Gunmetal gray and artsy, anime nails are also in vogue, so are stained glass nails. She breaks down the top, current nail trends.

Stained Glass Nails

When it comes to nail art trends this fall, its more than just your typical glazed donut nails or fall colors. In fact, stained glass nails tap into an Old World, vintage feel that pairs well with denim fans or lace dresses.

“Stained glass nail art trend for the fall – old fashioned, like a church, historic, very old,” said Iwakoshi. “Its not typical nails. The shiny quality, its an eye catching design, but very detailed. People stop them and ask, in the past few weeks, it has been picking up.”

Autumn Nail Colors

For fall, the autumn nail polish colors include dark, moody forest greens, as well as bright orange hues, and deep vampy reds. “Fall color manicures go well with almost any outfit

Gunmetal Gray

Gunmetal gray is in this season, a dark, versatile hue that’s edgy (like goth-friendly black nails) but yet sleek. “Gunmetal gray nails goes with literally any outfit, and it’s a contrast to the overly-feminine nail trends we’ve been seeing all spring and summer,” said Iwakoshi. “If you want a gunmetal manicure, get a sleek chrome finish.”

Anime Nails

There’s much enthusiasm around Japanese anime nails. “I’m a huge lover of anime, it’s an enormous part of Japanese culture,” she said. Of all her anime-centric creations, her favorite set of anime nails was paying tribute to one of her favorite anime film directors, Hayao Miyazaki. “I’ve watched his films so many times, they’re like revising my own childhood in Japan.

“Capturing the artistry and personality that you see in anime films is not easy, but it’s a fun challenge for me. You absolutely have to capture the essence of the film to make it feel authentic and genuine for fans of anime to identify characters on such a small canvas like a fingernail. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that anime fans are a cult following of their own.”

“Anime has always been an influence,” said Iwakoshi. “It’s bigger in Japan than it is here. Anime nails are for the genre’s biggest fans.”

She has based sets of nails on “My Neighbor Totoro,” a 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten. “There are hardcore fans out there who want anime nails,” she said.

Tortoise Shell Nails

Tortoise shell pattern nails are another hot trend for 2023 fall trend for nail art, according to Iwakoshi. “People just started to get more brown nails,” she said. “It all comes from the latte nail trend, or darker colors for fall.”

Blake Lively is known for trailblazing the trend, which combines earthy hues, like chocolate brown and shades of orangeshades. “It all starts with a spark of inspiration, and we create something from there,” she says.