For the eighth and final Last Chance Design Lab sponsored by CND, record-holding champion Victoria Zegarelli takes on Winnie Huang to compete for a chance to stay in the Top 3. CND’s Jan Arnold will select her favorite look. The winner of this Last Chance Challenge will go on to compete for the title of NAILS Next Top Nail Artist in Chicago.
All Last Chance challenges are done on a single nail tip. Contestants are also asked to describe their looks. There are no other elements to this battle.
Since Winnie packed her paintbrushes after the Easily Enchanted challenge, this week’s Last Chance challenge is loosely related.
Fantasy Nail Art: Use any mediums to show us your ultimate nail fantasy.
Here are the looks they created:
Victoria Zegarelli
When I found out this week was all about fantasy, I knew there could be no other choice for me than to pay homage to Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Willie Wonka is the epitome of fantasy and is from a world of pure imagination. Based on the book by Ronald Dahl, the movie stars Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, the world’s greatest candy maker. He’s eccentric, straightforward, and very loving to those who are loyal. The movie created some of the best quotes that I still admire today, such as: “All of my dreams became reality and my reality become dreams;” “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams;” and my favorite, “Don’t forget what happens to the man that suddenly got everything he ever wanted … he lived happily ever after.” Ronald Dahl had a special way of blending fantasy with reality in his writing: “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” There is so much to love about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory but I wanted to highlight some my favorite elements from the movie: The Golden Ticket, whip cream-filled mushrooms, the Everlasting Gobstopper, lick-able wallpaper, the Wonka Bar, the up and out Great Glass Elevator, the Wonka Ting boat, and of course Charlie’s favorite, the bubbles from the Fizzy Lifting drinks. If you have never seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I assure you it’s a wonderful fantasy and is a scrumdidilyumptious dream come true.
Winnie Huang
It is extremely difficult to find the words to accurately describe how I feel about this piece. At this very moment, my ultimate nail fantasy is seeing Jan offering me the golden ticket to advance into the Nails Next Top Nail Artist Finale. Taking the feedback I got from the judges in the past weeks into consideration, I wanted be sure and apply detail and precision to everything. I sculpted these marbled stairs leading up to Jan to symbolize just how close we are to the finale. Every single step toward the top, although difficult, is a beautiful journey — hence the flowers. It is also rewarding to know that you are growing as an artist because of the knowledge you gain along the way. I wanted the top to feel glorious and majestic, so it only made sense to place our very own Jan Arnold looking fabulous on a throne. The outfit Jan is wearing is one of my favorites, and I had a blast sculpting her! This NTNA journey has been challenging to say the least, but I’ve learned more about myself the last 10 weeks than I ever did. My goal is within reach, and I am determined to make this ultimate fantasy a reality!
Congratulations to Winnie Huang for winning the final CND Last Chance Design Lab challenge! Winnie went up against reigning champ Victoria Zegarelli to create the ultimate nail fantasy on a single tip. They were allowed to use any mediums they dreamed up and CND’s Jan Arnold chose the winner.
Jan said, “Winnie, please accept this golden ticket to join us in the Top 3! CONGRATULATIONS on all your achievements during the journey! You took each (marble) step, one at a time, refining your colors, which this week are in technicolor; perfecting your lines, which are crisp and beautifully clean; paying attention to detail in the challenge guidelines, which has set you apart. You have envisioned your success and therefore you are making it happen. We are all very proud of you and wish you continued success in this very global challenge!”
About Victoria, Jan said, “I too am a huge fan of Willie Wonka and you beautifully captured the spirit and the artistry behind this wonderful fantasy! The portrait of Gene Wilder and all the fantastical elements were perfectly executed! The deciding factor for me this (difficult) week went back to the challenge guidelines. Though you captured your fantasy magnificently and executed it flawlessly, it wasn’t necessarily your nail fantasy. I also had a difficult time finding the nail in your artwork. Congratulations to you Victoria, for being a great competitor and champion. Your artistry, research, writing and creativity has been an honor and joy to behold. You should feel very proud!”
This means Winnie will move on to our official (and international) Top 3 and will be competing against Celina Ryden and Sarah Elmaz for the title of NAILS Next Top Nail Artist 2015-2016.
Check back in two weeks for the first part of the final challenge, sponsored by CND.