If you were not at STR.CRD this past weekend, I’d just like to add to your FOMO and say YOU TRULY MISSED OUT! Connect ZA brought us a group of talented young creatives from the UK including Sharmadean Reid, the stylish owner and founder of the “badas$ nail salon-WAH Nails”, whom I got to have a chat with whilst getting my nails done – for FREE! (Hello, who doesn’t like free stuff?!)

“I grew up in a really small town called Wolverhampton in England,” says Reid. She uses this as her introduction to emphasise that you don’t have to be from the city to make it big. You can make it no matter what your aspirations are because it’s all about your state of mind rather than your geographical location. She started WAH Nails in 2009 when she spotted a gap in the market. WAH Nails burst onto the scene offering more than the unimaginative French manicures or the not-so-bold, plain and boring nail colours. Reid uses dope prints and fresh, in-your-face colours. They have since taken the fashion world by storm having been featured in big fashion magazines like Vogue and having worked with some famous artists including MIA, Gabrielle Union and Azealia Banks.

“I think [for] anyone who wants to start a creative scene in the city, the first and most important thing [to do] is to build a community,” Reid says on one of the reasons why WAH Nails is such a success. It’s not just a nail salon, it’s a hub for young women to meet up and build relationships.

Reid confesses she sometimes feels silly calling herself a nail artist because it may seem frivolous, but she also admits nails are a crucial fashion statement. They are just like any other accessory you put on to accentuate your look, that small detail, like lipstick or earrings, that takes your outfit to another level.

I have to admit, I used to think getting nails done was a trivial and unnecessary expense but I have been converted. I love my new WAH Nails so much, I even asked if she could consider branching out to SA but unfortunately Reid is not ready for that big step, yet. “Right now, I just want to focus on starting my own nail product line,” she says. Let’s put our manicured nails together and pray that her nail products will at least make it to SA. A girl can hope.

For more on WAH NAILS check them out on Tumblr and Twitter

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#LondonTakeover at Str.Crd was support by the British Council Connect ZA.