Iryna Shemet: "Professional identity is born when the master remains sincere in his creativity"

The aesthetics of creativity always begins with the person who creates it. The heroine of the new interview on the pages of BOMOND VIP Fashion magazine - Iryna Shemet, International Award-Winning Nail Artist, - talks about a professional culture that forms a new vision of the industry. In the new material, we uncovered the veil of the view of modern nail culture, sources of creative inspiration, trends of 2026, professional principles of the master and values, without which real development in the profession is impossible.

"My creative process always begins with the story or emotion that I want to convey," says Mrs. Iryna.

Art has long gone beyond the usual perception, it flourishes in almost every sphere of our lives. The nail industry has become one of those spaces where the beauty of creativity is transformed into a true language of self-expression. Mrs. Iryna, what was the beginning of your creative path to the role of a manicurist?

My journey into the nail industry began long before I became a manicurist. I used to work as a holiday organizer, and it was there that my love for aesthetics and details was formed. I have always been fascinated by the design of events: the combination of colors, decor, atmosphere, how you can evoke emotions and create a mood with the help of visual elements.

Later, I realized that I wanted not only to organize beauty around people, but also to create it with my own hands. That's how I got into the nail industry. At first it was a profession, but very quickly it became a way of creative self-expression for me. I saw that nails can be not just a well-groomed detail of the image, but a real miniature canvas for art.

Every year my passion became deeper: I learned new techniques, improved my skills, looked for my own style and began to participate in professional competitions. Today, for me, nail design is a combination of creativity, technical accuracy and the ability to tell stories through my work.

If you were an artist and created a portrait of a modern woman, what would this image be like on the canvas? What traits, states, values, in your opinion, form this image today?

For me, a modern woman is first and foremost a creator. She has a unique ability to create, inspire, fill with meaning and beauty everything she touches. It does not matter whether it is a family, a career, creativity or her own inner world, a woman is able to transform the space around her.

On my canvas, it would be strong, but at the same time soft. Confident in herself, but open to the world. I am convinced that true female power is born when a woman is in harmony with herself, understands her values and does not betray her own nature. It is in this state that she can create without exhaustion and sacrifices, filling with energy not only herself, but also people nearby.

Therefore, the image of a modern woman for me is a combination of inner strength, wisdom, tenderness and the ability to create beauty in the broadest sense of the word. She doesn't want to be perfect — she wants to be real. And this is its greatest strength.

In your portfolio of works, we see incredible compositions with character. Your designs balance between boldness and precision, from minimalism to complex art solutions. What is the basis of your creative process? Where do you find inspiration to create such diverse works?

Inspiration for me is a very unpredictable process. Sometimes it seems that you spend hours looking for an idea, analyzing, looking through many references, but finding nothing. And then, when you let go of the situation and stop forcing yourself to invent something, the decision suddenly comes by itself.

Very often the beginning of future work lies literally on the surface. It can be an interesting shape of the building, a natural element, a historical image, a mythological character or even a random detail that he did not pay attention to before. But to see this connection, sometimes you have to allow yourself to stop and relax a little. It is at such moments that the most interesting ideas are born.

My creative process always begins with a story or emotion that I want to convey. This is especially true for the competition. For me, it is important not just to create a beautiful design, but to lay a certain meaning in it. And only then the composition, colors, shapes and technical solutions are gradually built around this idea.

Therefore, I find inspiration not only in the nail industry. It can come from art, architecture, nature, travel or even from ordinary life observations. The main thing is to remain open to the world and not be afraid to trust your own imagination.

Today, the nail industry is moving at a tremendous pace: trends are changing, aesthetics are being transformed, and the customer is becoming more and more demanding. What directions, techniques or styles, in your opinion, today form the current vector of industry development?

Today I see two important areas of development. The first is naturalness, health of nails and impeccable purity of execution. The second is the creative segment, where nail design becomes a real art. Combined techniques, author's designs, modern materials, and an individual approach to each client are also actively developing. Masters are increasingly striving not just to repeat trends, but to create their own style.

We see the parallel existence of two trends: on the one hand, the demand for natural aesthetics, on the other hand, for complex, almost art-object design. How do you personally feel about modern nail culture?

I think it's a completely natural process. For everyday life, many clients choose minimalism, natural shades and neatness. At the same time, the competitive and creative sphere allows masters to go far beyond the usual service and demonstrate their artistic potential. Personally, I am interested in both directions. It is this diversity that makes modern nail culture so lively and exciting.

Behind every strong work is not only technique, but also discipline, precision and own philosophy. What professional skills and values are critically important today for a master who wants to develop with dignity in his own business?

First of all, it is responsibility, discipline and the desire to constantly learn. The industry is changing very quickly, so professional development cannot stop. Respect for the client, attention to detail and honesty in work are also important. The master must not only master the technique, but also be able to hear people, understand their needs and constantly improve his skills.

What advice would you give to masters who are just starting their own history to build a strong professional identity?

Don't compare your beginning with someone else's result. Focus on your own development, learn, experiment and don't be afraid of mistakes. It is very important to find your own style and not try to copy everyone around you. A strong professional identity is born when the master remains sincere in his work and consistently works on himself. It is perseverance and love for your work that ultimately leads to the best results.

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