New York magazine has published an article online covering a brief history of black nail polish, one of my favorite trends. As expected, much of the major appeal of this trend was started with rock bands and artists. Some examples they list are Freddie Mercury (lead singer of Queen), David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Bauhaus, and Marilyn Manson.
Once the fashion industry decided to play along, the cosmetics company Urban Decay created the color Perversion, "a vinyl black polish with purple highlights named after a Gravity Kills album." The article also states, "Despite cropping up on fashion models, black nail polish still says 'rebellious rock,' as evidenced by indie band the Deathray Davies’ album, titled Midnight at the Black Nail Polish Factory."
I couldn't agree more. No matter how trendy black polish gets, it still makes you feel a little like a rock star.
Although their timeline stops at 2006, the black/dark nail polish trend is still going strong this fall. However, it has undergone some slight tweaking. Instead of jet black, colors are emerging with flecks of purple and magenta, with burgundy and navy undertones. My mother insists they all look the same, but I beg to differ. Of course I explain to her that when the sun hits my nails just right you can really see difference...
My favorites this season: OPI's Russian Navy, and Midnight in Moscow.
In honor of Mercury and Bowie, here is "Under Pressure":
2 comments:
Freddie Mercury was very special and completely different from others. Montserrat Caballe once had been quoted: "The difference between Freddie and almost all the other rock stars was that he was selling the voice." Here I've tried to collect all notable tributes paid to Freddie Mercury by peers:
http://www.tributespaid.com/category/f/freddie-mercury
Freddie Mercury also only wore black nail polish on his left hand. Guitarist Brian May wore white on his right hand.
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