South Asian artistic sensibilites have long been ignored or mistreated. They’ve only just begun receiving their laurels in the fashion world, and yet, we’re still a far way from the world truly recognizing the region’s depth of artistic heritage and its vast, undeniable influence on global fashion. Perhaps, then, it’s not about waiting to receive recognition, but rather creating art that honors one’s ancestral traditions, carries them forward, and does so confidently, in a way that cannot be denied.
We interviewed one such artist, Zahra Nadeem, a Pakistani-British nail artist who incorporates South Asian artworks, including motifs, patterns, and symbols, into her designs, injecting each set she does with meaning and beauty like we’ve never seen before in nail art.
What’s your journey been like as a South Asian artist in the space and career you’ve chosen?
My journey has been deeply personal. I’ve been told I’m the first to bring South Asian art to nails at this level of intricacy and cultural depth, and that’s not something I take lightly. There’s no blueprint for what I’m doing so it feels like I’m writing a new chapter in the nail world, one rooted in heritage and written with intention.
As a South Asian woman, there’s something powerful about showing up in a space where we’re so often overlooked. Nails have long been dominated by East Asian or Western artists – you rarely, if ever, see South Asian artistry treated with this kind of reverence. I’m taking a medium that’s been underestimated and transforming it into something archival, luxurious, and deserving of a place in galleries and as heirlooms.
What first inspired you to bring South Asian motifs into your nail art?
I come from a Mughal lineage, so our heritage is soaked in art, empire, couture, and ornate beauty. My ancestors weren’t just rulers – but patrons of architecture, jewellery, and craftsmanship in every form. So when I paint, I see nails as more than a beauty treatment. I see them as tiny artefacts, wearable heirlooms that are a piece of home.
South Asian art is so rich in symbolism, layering, and meaning, and I wanted to create work that reflects that. This maximalist, detail-obsessed energy isn’t a trend, it’s tradition. It’s our DNA. I see myself as part of that artisanal lineage, just carrying it forward through a modern lens.
Walk us through your design process. Where do you source inspiration from?
My ideas come from everywhere – sometimes from memory, my clients’ bridal lenghas, a song, a poem, or a film that poetically captures our culture. Other times, they arrive straight from my imagination in the middle of the night.
Often, I freehand each set from start to finish, choosing colours that resonate and letting instinct guide the design. Other times, I pre-sketch concepts, approaching them like couture garments. Every detail is deliberate – each line, dot, and chrome placement.
I treat my nail sets like visual archives, referencing cultural architecture, vintage textile patterns, or even postage stamps. At times, it’s purely instinctive, trusting my hand to translate what my eye finds beautiful.
It’s high concept, but also deeply intuitive. I’ve trained myself to see beauty in the smallest things and then translate that into nail form.
Do you ever feel like you’re carrying forward ancestral traditions (like mehendi!) through your work?
Absolutely. It’s the heart of what I do. I always say my art is a blend of everything – from mehendi to miniature painting, from the gemstones of a Mughal crown to the silhouettes of bridalwear.
Each set is crafted as a cultural artifact, a modern heirloom. In that sense, I do feel like I’m carrying forward ancestral energy; like the mehendi artist adorning a bride’s hands, or the artisan laying stone into palace walls. I’ve simply found a new surface to carry that tradition on.
If you could collaborate with any designer, artist, or brand, who would it be and what kind of look would you create together?
I would love to collaborate with a South Asian or Middle Eastern couture house that treats bridalwear like sacred art; who understands maximalism, narrative, and excess in the best way. I’m also drawn to visual artists such as photographers, directors, set designers – who can help weave multiple art forms into one unforgettable vision.
Together, we’d create a full couture moment, where the nails are not an afterthought, but part of the artistry.
What are some underrated or lesser-known South Asian symbols or stories you’d love to highlight through your nail art?
For me, the most underrated element isn’t a single motif but the philosophy behind South Asian design. The obsession with layering. The reverence for detail. The understanding that a tiny paisley or floral details aren’t mere decoration, but storytelling. I want my nails to become vessels for those stories.In a world rushing toward AI and fast-fashion, I try to preserve something rare – the patient, deliberate craft of tradition.
