Sally Singer and Maki Sakamoto Collab for Some Cool Manis

The New York Times T Magazine Editor teamed up with Valley Nails NYC nail artist, Maki Sakamoto, to design some cool textured nail designs. Although Sally is known for her low-key style, she likes to mix it up with unique nail art. Read about her concepts for each design below and let me know which one is your favorite. I’m leaning toward the Taxi Driver Seat Nails—so weird they’re pretty.

Powdered Violet
 Nails
This is “extravagant old lady.” The hand pictured is covered with powdery violets but I’d do fewer flowers for myself. It is matte, and I like how romantic, nostalgic and strange it looks. The clothes this spring were about a prettiness that’s so literal it becomes quite odd—for instance, the Comme des Garçons and Valentino shows. It refers to a history of femininity that is really interesting. I would wear these nails long and very rounded.

Céline Orange Nails

Everybody wants Céline, and if you can’t get the real thing you can get the nails. It’s their two-tone handbags and how their knits have that little Céline logo in the corner, like a man’s monogram. Maki used to do the Chanel logo all over the nails, but with Céline you only want it on one finger. I’d wear this style on quite square and short nails.

Mexican Sugar Skulls
 Nails
Wear these on a clear, gelled nail and with a different face on each one staring up at you. Again, I like the powdery-ness and that crystalized sugar look. With this sort of Japanese-inspired nail art it’s about creating as much character as possible. You need a design where every nail is different.

Kate Middleton Nails
For this glittery blue nail with the single crown, I was thinking of spring 2012 Chanel couture, with all those deep blues. I don’t usually like a blue nail but I liked those color tones. It’s a royal, attention-grabbing nail—it’s the Kate Middleton nail. I wanted crowns and heraldry.

Taxi Driver Seat Nails

I wanted a really textural nail, because for me that’s the most interesting—those strange, matte textures like the wooden beaded coverings on New York taxi driver’s seats. This would look good with Burberry’s spring collection.