Celebrating Max Braga – Trusted Nailympia Judge & International Nail Artist Extraordinaire
03 September 2025 | Germany, News
Venice at your fingertips: the magic of fantasy nail art at Nailympia & delivered by Entity global educator & international judge, Max Braga
Last year, at Nailympia London, I was asked to create a full set of Fantasy Complete Look nails for a high-profile demonstration show, designed to showcase the excellence of professionals in my field following the Nailympia Düsseldorf 2025 international championships. For me, this invitation was both ambitious and courageous: I would represent the entire category of nail art experts, professionals, colleagues and friends from around the world. This was a huge responsibility, yet also a unique honour.
The first challenge? Choosing a theme. I wanted to create something instantly recognisable worldwide, with a strong, clear and impactful style. The answer came almost immediately: Venice. A universal symbol of beauty, history, art and opulence. Venice is more than just a city: it is a visual emotion, a timeless narrative. And its carnival, renowned worldwide, perfectly embodies the elegance, colour, sophistication and sumptuousness I wanted to convey in my work.
I immersed myself in researching images, historical references and visual inspirations. I began designing three-dimensional subjects, decorative elements and details capable of evoking Venetian magic. Time was short and I knew I couldn’t tackle it alone. So, I decided to involve someone who is much more than a colleague:worled-renowned and respected nail artist, educator and mentor, Elena Maltseva. Elena was my first teacher, over 25 years ago. Today, she is a friend and a respected professional, with whom I share a passion and respect for this profession.
A phone call was all it took. Elena immediately accepted my proposal with enthusiasm. Within minutes, she had grasped the creative vision and symbolic importance of the project. We worked side by side, day and night, exploring ideas, technical details, experimentation and swimming in passion. Finally, the magic took shape.
The model’s dress and accessories were personally created by Max Braga, maintaining the original characteristics of the 18th Century costumes and the tradition of the Venice Carnival.
The result? A work that successfully blends art, tradition and innovation, bringing a vibrant tribute to the timeless beauty of Venice to the stage of Nailympia Germany 2025. An unforgettable moment that I still cherish today – not only for what we created, but for everything it represented.
For me, it wasn’t just a personal achievement, but also a statement of professional identity. Every detail, every aesthetic choice, every technical element was designed to tell a story and demonstrate what nail art means today. It is from these experiences that my daily commitment is born, I strive to offer work of the highest quality, meticulously crafted and capable of moving people. Because for me, nail art isn’t just decoration – it’s expression, culture and vision.