Neighborhood Portraits
Neighborhood Portraits: TESS – Yuka
Nail salon TESS is located in the same Sakae area as Forget-me-nots Nagoya, which opened in September of this year. Located along Hisaya-Odori, it offers fashionable and creative art nails. Its designs, with their emphasis on three-dimensional shapes and combinations of different materials, resonate with the sensibilities of those who enjoy fashion in their own unique way.
Yuka, TESS's top nail artist, specializes in colorful, creative, and playful nail designs. This time, we asked Yuka, who is also very particular about her work fashion, to wear the NIKE Shox Z and interviewed her about her approach to style and her sources of inspiration, which are also evident in her nail art.
fmn: Please tell us about your shop.
yuka: I'm Yuka from nail salon TESS.
The shop is a space that combines organic materials such as wood and stone with inorganic materials such as stainless steel and fluorescent lights.
fmn: What do you like about this town?
yuka: I like that it has a calm atmosphere, but it's also lively because it faces Hisaya-Odori and various events are held every week in the park in front of it.
fmn: How do you like wearing the Shox Z?
yuka: They're really comfortable, stylish, and I thought they could be worn unisex.
fmn: What kind of situations would you like to wear the Shox Z in?
yuka: I like sporty-mixed fashion, so I'd like to incorporate them into those outfits.
fmn: Please tell us about your work style.
yuka: I like mixing modes, street styles, and vintage clothing, but I often pair them with structured items like jackets and leather boots to avoid looking too casual.
I also try to incorporate cute items like lace.
fmn: What is most important to you when choosing clothes?
yuka: I always try to remember to incorporate feminine elements, such as lace, when choosing clothes.
fmn: What inspired you to become a nail artist?
yuka: I spent a lot of time thinking about my future during college, and after deep consideration about job satisfaction, I started to think that a job where I could directly experience the joy of customers would be good. At the time, I was also doing my own nails, so the desire to do something I love as a job and directly feel the joy of customers was what inspired me to become a nail artist.
fmn: What kind of customers do you usually have?
yuka: Our customers are very fashion-conscious and stylish. We have customers of all ages and professions, but especially many from the beauty and apparel industries.
fmn: If there was a turning point in your career as a nail artist, please tell us about it.
yuka: Around this time last year, there was a period when I really confronted my challenges and areas for improvement. As a mid-career professional who had to support my seniors and lead my juniors, I really thought about how I should be.
fmn: Do you have any future challenges or visions?
yuka: I'd like to try working regardless of location, so I'm hoping to do mobile nail services and pop-ups.
fmn: What has influenced you recently, or what is your source of inspiration?
yuka: I really like the brand PERVERZE. That brand often styles by combining patterns, so I get inspiration from that, and I'm studying how to combine patterns, like trying to combine leopard print with stripes, or stripes with floral patterns.
fmn: What does "staying true to yourself" mean to you?
yuka: For me, staying true to myself means expressing myself through my nails and clothes according to my current mindset, and not lying to myself.
The Shox Z, worn this time, are available at Forget-me-nots in three colors: black, green, and pink. You can purchase them at our online store and various retail locations.
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Nail artist at nail salon TESS.
Specializes in pop and street styles, offering unique nail designs with playful colors and bold art. She expresses herself freely, providing nails that allow customers to enjoy their individuality.
