New York City has exploded with polka dots thanks to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Louis Vuitton has decked out its Fifth Avenue flagship store in celebration of their collaboration, and a retrospective of Kusama's signature spots is now open at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Plus, she's getting some west coast love from two DIY nail artists.
Donne and Virginia Geer, the sister duo behind Hey, Nice Nails!, was struck by the polka-dotted 83-year-old genius. Taking a cue from a painter's book, Donne recommends carefully pouring red, black and white lacquers onto a piece of aluminum foil and drawing on circles using dotting tools (toothpicks and bobby pins work, too). Grab a friend and follow the steps below to recreate this playful manicure.
Photos: Wax figure of artist Yayoi Kusama, Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage; Zoya Sooki, Purity and Raven; Hey, Nice Nails Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton-inspired DIY nail art.
Left Hand:
1. Apply base coat
2. Paint ring finger nail in Zoya Purity
3. Paint remaining nails in Zoya Sooki
4. Using thee different sized dotting tools and Sooki, place random dots on ring finger
5. Using a large dotting tool and Purity, place a row of dots vertically down the remaining nails (assembly line style)
6. Using a slightly smaller dotting tool and Purity, place a row of dots vertically down both sides of the large dots
7. Using an even smaller dotting tool and Purity, place a row of dots vertically down the side of the larger dots
8. Using a teeny-tiny dotting tool and Purity, place a row of dots vertically down the side of the larger dots, and continue until nail is covered with small dots
9. Apply top coat
Right Hand:
1. Apply base coat
2. Paint ring and middle finger nails Purity
3. Paint remaining nails in Zoya Raven
4. Using a large dotting tool and Raven, place a row of dots vertically down ring and middle finger nails (assembly line style)
5. Using a slightly smaller dotting tool and Raven, place a row of dots vertically down both sides of the large dots
6. Using an even smaller dotting tool and Raven, place a row of dots vertically down the side of the larger dots
7. Using a teeny-tiny dotting tool and Raven, place a row of dots vertically down the side of the larger dots, and continue until nail is covered with small dots
8. On the remaining nails (pinky, index and thumb) repeat steps four through seven but use Purity for the dots.
9. Apply top coat
What do you think about this designer-inspired manicure? Would you wear it? Tell us in the comments section.
Meanwhile, flip through the entire Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton flipbook.
Click through the slideshow below for more DIY nail art.
