From Osaka to the Meent: the distinctive nail art of Manammy at KURO

How did the collaboration with KURO come about?

Even before I arrived in Rotterdam, I already knew KURO through Instagram. At that time, I was looking for a place to continue my work in nails. I was not searching for a traditional nail salon, because I already had a strong foundation. What I was really looking for was a team with a clear vision, a place where I could build something meaningful together with others and grow in ways I could not reach on my own.

What made KURO feel like the right place for you, beyond the aesthetics?

The style was the first thing that caught my attention, but it was more than that. I felt something deeper. There was a sense of individuality, trust, and creativity that I did not see anywhere else. The way KURO builds long term relationships with clients, their openness to editorial work, and their educational vision through the Academy, it all felt aligned with how I see beauty. Not just as a service, but as a form of art and self-expression.

During a holiday in Rotterdam, I decided I wanted to move to the city. Soon after, I reached out to Bianca. I was excited to continue my work as a nail artist in the Netherlands. While many people might start their search with conventional salons, KURO stayed in my mind. I visited other studios, but nothing felt right. KURO had something unique, and I kept coming back to it in my thoughts.

Once I arrived in Rotterdam, I walked past the KURO location. The space was quite small at the time, so I assumed there would not be room for a collaboration. Eventually, I decided to write Bianca a letter. Her response came quickly, and I learned that KURO was about to move to a larger space. The timing felt symbolic and full of possibility. It was not just a relocation. It felt like a commitment to growth, vision, and evolution.

At the exact same moment that I was taking a leap of faith by moving to a new country with my son, KURO was also taking a leap into something new. We were both taking risks without knowing exactly what would come next. Seeing that shared energy gave me a deep sense of connection. Not long after, I had my first day at KURO.

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Can you tell us something about your career in Japan?

My career did not begin in beauty but in fashion. I worked as an assistant editor at WWD Japan, where I helped organize photo shoots and supported the editing process in Tokyo. After that, I spent about a year and a half in fashion production, often traveling to China. But I never felt at ease in that world. The speed, the quality, the enormous amount of clothing waste, it all made me feel like I was contributing to something I could not support. I became aware of how harmful fast fashion is to the environment and realized I no longer wanted to be part of it.

Nails came into my life as a way to keep creating, but in a way that felt honest and personal. I wanted to make something unique for one individual instead of producing for the masses. That felt right to me. I enrolled in a certified nail program in Japan, attending classes in the evenings while working during the day. After finishing my training, I worked at a salon every single day for a full year. Then, in 2016, I opened my own studio in Osaka, called O my nail nail. By then, I had already built a loyal base of fifty clients. I connected with them through Instagram and worked from my friend’s café. Even though I had only been in the field for a short time, I was confident in my direction and not afraid to stand on my own. It was a beautiful beginning.

Why did you choose nails?

Because I love meeting new people and creating real relationships, not just providing a service. I truly believe that art should live in everyday life, not only in galleries or magazines. I still wanted to create, but not through the fast fashion system that felt dishonest to both the client and the world. Nails gave me the freedom to make something beautiful on a small and personal scale, one person at a time. That turned out to be exactly the kind of creativity I was looking for.

How would you describe your style in three words?

Creative. Personal. Focused.

I love bold styles, but I always begin by listening carefully to the client. Trust and dialogue shape the design just as much as technique does. In fact, a part of me does not even feel like an artist in the traditional sense. I see myself as someone who is allowed to create something meaningful and help express someone’s individuality. What I enjoy most is building something unique together. That shared process makes the work truly special.

What is the biggest difference between nails in the Netherlands and in Japan?

In Japan, clients are used to working with layers, charms, and three dimensional elements. The styles are often bold, unique, and closely follow trends. That mindset is less common in the Netherlands. Here, people tend to take a more gradual approach. Clients are still getting used to the idea that nails can be more than just part of a beauty routine. Nails can also be a form of art and personal expression.

Which Japanese influences do you see in your work?

In Japan, everything revolves around detail and dedication. Careful craftsmanship is at the heart of what we do, and that deeply influences how I work. From shaping the nail and treating the cuticles to selecting colors and applying product, every step matters. In Japan, we often say that white has at least two hundred shades. It sounds like a joke, but it reflects how we see color, nuance, and precision. That sensitivity is something I always try to bring into my work.

Which products do you use?

I work with soft gel, which is much gentler on the natural nail than acrylic, BIAB, or dipping systems. Around eighty percent of nail professionals in Japan use this method. The base coat I use is especially important. It can be reused for the next sets, so I only need to refill the base without touching your bare nails every time I remove or refresh the design. Many Dutch clients are surprised to learn that soft gel lasts a long time, often three to four weeks.

BIAB is quite popular here, but I find it too aggressive during removal. I also use GelX, a type of soft gel extension tip that is not made from plastic but from the same soft gel material. That means it bends more naturally, fits the nail bed gently, and still lasts very well. Everything I use is carefully selected with the health and strength of your natural nails in mind.

Which techniques from Japan do you use at KURO?

I work with very refined tools that are not commonly used in the Netherlands. For example, many people here use small scissors for cuticle work, but I use a Japanese tool that is specifically designed for precision and care. It was actually the most expensive item I have ever bought for my work. In Japan, every nail artist invests in it, the way a chef chooses their knife. You may not see it as a client, but I know that the smallest techniques make the biggest difference. How you shape the nail, how you apply the product, how you treat the surface, that is where true craftsmanship lives. These things cannot be learned from a video. They come from real experience. And I believe people only truly notice the difference once they have had their nails done.

What does quality mean to you?

For me, quality always starts with a healthy foundation. That is also what I love about KURO. Their vision on hair health matches my philosophy on nails. First, we take care of the natural nail. Then we create something artistic on top of it.

Some clients come in with concerns about their own nails. They may not like how their bare nails look or feel. I always take the time to listen and offer advice on what I can do as a nail artist. It is not only about making things beautiful on the outside. It is also about making people feel good from the inside. That is where real beauty begins.

What feels typically Japanese about KURO?

The atmosphere, and the way people communicate. Before I joined the team, I wondered if maybe they would only focus on their own work. But what I experienced was the opposite. They care about each other, they support each other, and they really work as a team. It reminded me of what I would call a Japanese spirit.

In Japan, we are taught to be aware of others, even in public spaces. For example, at subway stations, there are clear lines showing where to stand while waiting for the train. We care deeply about making sure everyone feels comfortable. That same sense of thoughtfulness is what I felt at KURO. People spoke to me, even though I was new. It made me feel like I had found the right path.

What do you want clients to experience when they book a treatment with you?

That it is completely about them. Of course I create what they ask for, but I always try to add something extra. I go beyond what is requested, not only to elevate the design, but also to grow as an artist. I love offering something unexpected, something unique that still fits the client perfectly.

Recently, a client came in with some reference images. She already followed me on Instagram, so she was open to a creative twist. Together, we created something new. That is what I love most, going beyond expectations and co-creating something meaningful.

I also believe my love for all kinds of art and fashion gives me a broader view. I am not attached to just one style or one trend. That helps me understand what each client might be hoping for, even if they cannot always put it into words.

What is one detail in your work that matters a lot to you, but clients may not notice?

The shape, the build-up of color, the symmetry. Small nuances you may not see at first, but you feel them. That is the difference between something nice and something exceptional.

Which trends from Japan have not yet arrived here, but you think they will?

In Japan, there has always been a strong connection to the Gyaru style, especially during the early 2000s. It was a time of bold choices, with longer nails, lots of charms, and an overall love for everything extra. Around the same time in the United States, icons like Paris Hilton and Avril Lavigne were setting trends. Japan had its own version of that spirit. We enjoy mixing different lengths and shapes, and sometimes every single nail is intentionally different. In the Netherlands, nail designs are still quite uniform, but I can see that slowly starting to shift. And maybe we can help make that change together.

I also believe that many people in Japan find it difficult to express themselves openly. Speaking up or seeking therapy is not very common. We were not taught to be unique. We were expected to follow what previous generations had created for us. That is why fashion, beauty, and interiors became such important outlets. They allow us to express who we are without needing words. I think that is one reason why we often go further when it comes to bold and creative choices.

Where do you find inspiration?

Mostly in menswear and street fashion. I often find myself drawn to older people who combine unusual colors in unexpected ways. It catches my eye and challenges the way I think. It makes me question what I thought I knew about style and balance.

I also find a lot of inspiration in nature. The beach, the mountains, the way colors appear in the world around us, they are already perfectly unique. I do not follow other nail artists online. That feels too limiting to me. I prefer to look elsewhere and stay true to my own vision.

You have been in Rotterdam for a few months now. How is it going?

It feels exciting and new. I really want to become part of this city and connect with its people, but I know that takes time. My son is doing very well. He is four years old and recently started elementary school at a Dutch public international school. In Japan, education is very focused on studying from an early age. From first grade, children already have a lot of homework, even during the school holidays. Here, there is more space to discover who you are through play. I can already see him opening up, and that makes me truly happy.

I am also looking forward to building a new life here in Rotterdam. But do not get me wrong, I am deeply grateful for everything I had in Osaka. I had a beautiful studio, wonderful clients, my own team, and I worked independently for ten years. Still, I felt ready for something new. A fresh start. Sometimes life brings you somewhere for a reason, even if you do not know exactly why at first. This is a new challenge, and I get to build something from the ground up together with my son. I truly believe I am in the right place now, and the timing with KURO could not have been better.

Want to book a treatment with Manammy?

Schedule your appointment with Manammy through the KURO booking page or visit our salon on the Meent in Rotterdam. She will be happy to co-create a unique nail design with you.