Meet the Nailympia Hosts
Alex Fox
Nailympia London, Nailympia Orlando & Nailympia Columbus
After a small stint working in Brooklyn, New York, Alex Fox began her career in journalism in 1993 working on photographic titles. In 1998, she embraced a role on the first UK trade nail magazine, Nails Plus, where she headed a team of 10 as editorial director & hosted The Nail Championships in Earls Court, London.
In 2003, Alex co-founded the UK’s Scratch magazine, a trade title for hand, nail and footcare professionals. Seeing a niche in the ceremonial sector, in 2012, Alex helped conceive and develop the Scratch Stars Awards, devised to recognise outstanding talent in the UK nail industry. She then spearheaded the first consumer nail title, Gloss, and originated Scratch Middle East magazine in 2014, while living abroad for 10 years in Qatar.
Alex returned to the UK as Scratch’s editor-in-chief and global director for Nailympia Competitions. Giving nail education a new twist, Alex joined forces with industry professionals & co-founders of the FNP, Marian Newman and Jennie Nippard, to offer a unique annual 5-day education event, called Nail Safari, located on her family zoo.
Now firmly planted in the nail industry and sitting on the volunteer board of the UK’s Federation of Nail Professionals (FNP), Alex is passionate about raising standards while celebrating global nail artists through her interviews on GlossaryLive.com.
“I’ve been running nail competitions since January 2003 and have found them to be an incredible source of good, buzzing energy. It’s a very emotive place. I’ve loved watching people come into this industry, begin competing and then watched them grow and become champions. I’ve also then worked alongside them in their next role as a judge. Many have become my friends over the years. I’ve met incredible people and loved every moment of building the Nailympia competition brand into the beast that it is today. I’m thrilled that it holds its head up high on the global stage and is loved and respected all over the world. It’s my passion and delight to provide this platform to the nail world and to watch those who participate get such rewards from it.”
Find me on Instagram: @nailympiacompetitions & @alexfoxlife_
Stefanie LoRe
Stefanie LoReNailympia Germany
Nailympia’s concept always served me well back when I was a competitor. After many national championships, I dared to register for London and I’m so pleased I did, nobody can take this experience away from me. Not only did I get to know many new colleagues, but I was able to learn a lot as a nail designer through discussions and observing. The more I participated, the better my performance became. Being judged by so many experts at an international level gave me new motivation to keep training to attain more points next time. Nailympia is one of the most prestigious championships in the world. The work of Alex Fox and its continued expansion, means its reach today is considerable. The different categories and its adaptation to each respective market also make Nailympia unique.
Participants from all over the world are offered offline as well as live championships. Even countries that are not in a good financial position can still participate. There really is something for everyone. When SNI, together with Alex Fox and Messe Düsseldorf, got the chance to bring Nailympia Germany to life, this was a new challenge for me as a former competitor, judge and international trainer. For me personally, it’s always been important to create new opportunities and perspectives for nail designers and to make their dreams come true. Nailympia offers the quickest way to get the best results in every direction as a nail designer. Championships are also excellent training for everyday studio work. As a designer you automatically become faster, more precise and more efficient. You leave your comfort zone and experience things that make you escape from everyday life. Your circle of colleagues also expands; it’s great to have contacts and to exchange ideas instead of walking the path alone.
I was very lucky to get to know and start with colleagues such as Tom Holcomb, David Fowler, Tom Bachik, Karin Ström, Trang Nuygen and many other top-ranking nail designers. Seeing their work and competing alongside them was a great honour and helped me on many levels in the industry. Friendships were developed and ideas exchanged, products were tested during the championships and a lot of fun ensued. At the same time we learned through diligence, much sacrifice, hard work and a lot of discipline to reach our limits and to overcome them to break new ground. Giving up was never an option for any of us, even if you weren’t always the best, you kept going and didn’t stop, because one thing was clear to all of us, you’re always learning, and the experience can’t be taken away from you. The best things were always the score sheets and the subsequent discussions with the judges and other colleagues/participants. The work was broken down and you flew home and continued training. And yes, it can be an addiction. In the studio you train in speed and rhythm, in a championship you train in precision and consistency. You can’t lose, you can only win; I learned that through Nailympia. Every organization is wholeheartedly involved, and you still see a strong bond between many colleagues today. Every profession offers growth, it just depends on what you make of it. Do you stop or do you keep going?
No one should be afraid to compete. Championships are part of it and I’m thankful for Nailympia because there weren’t really many championships at that level back then. But not only then, but of course also today, I’m very happy to be on the other side and to organize Nailympia Germany. This is the only way for new generations to emerge and for the nail industry to grow.
Find me on Instagram: @nailympia.germany & @sni_signtaure-nail-int
Hemi Park
Hemi ParkNailympia Anaheim & Nailympia San Antonio
Hemi Park is a California-based Korean-American nail artist and educator. A keen competitor, Hemi has been building her career around nail competitions, including Nailpro Competitions, Nailympia and Nails Next Top Nail Artist in the USA, and has since expanded her pathway in this direction by coordinating and moderating the Nailpro Global competitions in the Asia region alongside other competitions in the USA, all since 2019.
Hemi also enjoys working in the creative field of nail artistry, her work has been featured in multiple nail media and has made it onto the covers of magazines around the world.
“I love being a nail professional because it’s about much more than services and making pretty nails. The industry as a whole is so complex and requires well-rounded skills of communication, artistry and scientific knowledge, as well as patience and an open mind. My career has constantly challenged me in every way possible, and I’ve grown artistically, personally and professionally from learning and overcoming those challenges. There’s no accurate way to describe why I love nails so much, all I know is that nails has become part of my identity over the last 10 years.
“As an artist and a brand educator/ambassador, I’m always required to be creative and trendy, while keeping in mind sales, marketing and presenting professionalism. I consider myself very lucky to have moved from the nail desk to the creation of digital content to assist in raising brand awareness for the brand I stand behind. My relationship with the brand is a direct result of my years competing.
“My first competition experience is memorable, and from that moment my entire career path changed. When I got my license, I literally had no one around me, no friends, no mentors and no education opportunity. I flew myself to a small education event where I submitted my very first nail art entry, and long story short, I came home with a medal and lists of friends and mentors. That hype continued through Nailympia, NTNA and Nailpro competitions. Nail competitions are a form of continuing education in my opinion. They have pushed my personal limits, gave so much motivation and courage, and widened my perspective and network.
Why compete? What’s the benefit? What would be the return of this investment? These are the questions I often get asked. I can answer the questions in so many different ways, but I’ll make it short. I am living proof of how much you can expand yourself beyond the nail desk. I want everyone to feel and breathe the high energy of the competition arena. I want everyone to experience the personal and professional growth. I want everyone to see how much this multi-billion dollar industry can offer in different opportunities.
“I decided to jump in the competition coordination and organization sector, because I wanted to be the go-to guide to nail competitions for everyone. The walls of nail competitions felt so high when I first started competing, so I want to be a welcoming hand to those willing to try it. I want nail brands to recognise the high standard of competitors we see, so we can reform into a truly professional-driven industry. So let me ask you now, are you ready to expand your nail career? If so, then start by applying for Nailympia today.
Find me on Instagram: @premierebeautyshows & @sugarplumfairyfingers
Dafne Fernández
Dafne Fernández Nailympia Mexico & Nailympia Brazil
Working as a nail professional since 2009, Dafne Fernández, known for both her nail sculpture, structure and art skills, is the founder and owner of Stanzy Nails & Beauty, Botica Puré, Mano Santa Nail Art and the director of the Stanzy Academy in Mexico City. Dafne became globally renowned after taking the role of global educator for Artistic Nail Design from 2012-2018. A champion tech, Dafne has won accolades in Orlando, Vegas, Pasadena and at the first Nailympia Canada in 2019. Dafne is an international judge, who has educated in Japan, the USA, China, Turkey, The Netherlands, the UK, Russia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and Greece. She’s also the host of Nailympia Mexico and the forthcoming Nailympia Brazil.
“I wanted to host Nailympia in my region because I believe that competitions are necessary in order to build and grow as a nail professional. This activity sets high standards and challenges that a competitor must work through in order to participate. As each element of competition tests the tech, abilities are realised and then stretched, skills and creativity are raised and the nail professional finds their purpose as success is enjoyed.”
Find me on Instagram: @nailympia_mexico & @dafne.nail.art