Coca Michelle
Michelle Nguyen (born 1995/1996),[1] known professionally as Coca Michelle, is a British nail artist. She is known for her detailed style that often includes non-traditional materials and has worked with the likes of Teyana Taylor, Megan Thee Stallion, and Cardi B. She appeared on the 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 list.
Life and career[edit]
Coca Michelle was born Michelle Nguyen in East London, England.[2] Her parents were manicurists who eventually opened their own nail salon.[3] Nguyen began to do nails at age six due to her frequent exposure to the business.[4] By age nine she was painting freestyle designs for her parents' clients.[5]
Nguyen studied at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and interned in the fashion world. She took a part-time job at a nail salon and then realized she would like to pursue it full-time.[3] She transitioned to doing nails at Laqué Nail Bar and used social media to promote her work. She credits that time with improving her style.[5] Coca specialises in long nails, anime-style art, and nontraditional designs and materials.[3][2]
In 2017, she was recommended to Teyana Taylor, who hired her; later, Coca Michelle accompanied her on tour.In 2019, she and Taylor opened the salon Junie Bee Nails in Harlem. Other clients include Cardi B, Christina Aguilera,Rosalía, Summer Walker, and Jhené Aiko.[2][3][4]
Coca Michelle gained wider prominence as Megan Thee Stallion's key nail artist.[6] Some of the work she did for Megan that gained press attention was a deep sea manicure, claw-like designs for the WAP music video, and gold appliqué body part nails.[7][8][4]
Coca resides in Los Angeles.[4]
Accolades[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Michelle Nguyen". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ a b c Togher, Ivana. "The Best Nail Art By Your Favourite Celebrities' Manicurists". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ a b c d Thorne, Gabi (2022-01-07). "Meet the Nail Artists Behind Your Favorite Celebrity Manicures". Allure. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ a b c d "Meet Coca Michelle, the Nail Artist Behind Megan Thee Stallion's Anime Manicures". Vogue. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ a b Tietjen, Alexa (2021-10-16). "Nail Artist Coca Michelle on Creating 'Visual Poetry'". WWD. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ Saabedra, Humberto. "Nail Artist Behind Megan Thee Stallion's Amazing Anime Nail Art Featured In New Vogue Magazine Profile". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ "Megan Thee Stallion's Schiaparelli-Inspired Manicure Is Full of Hidden Details". Glamour. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
- ^ Thorne, Gabi (2022-09-20). "I Swear There's Actual Water Inside Megan Thee Stallion's Deep-Sea Manicure". Allure. Retrieved 2023-03-18.