Emese Koppànyi and Frédéric Edange

Emese Koppànyi and Frédéric Edange

Nails have always been part of Emese Koppànyi and Frédéric Edange’s relationship. Both longtime nail competitors, the couple married in 2014, and in 2016 relocated to Los Angeles, where they opened and ran a salon together for two years. For their new company, Edko Nail Systems, they drew on their long experience in the nail industry to design a line of professional nail products. Although the new company meant they became too busy to run their salon, it was a useful experience: “Now we know what the customers in the U.S. like,” explains Edange.   

The opportunity to start a nail company came from Edange’s sister Yasmine, who was working with designer Max Azria. The four collaborated to launch the company. Koppànyi and Edange had previously wanted to create a line of acrylic brushes, but they jumped at the opportunity to design a full line of products. “We tried to create a single brand that provides everything you need when competing,” explains Koppànyi. She and Edange used their expertise in French nails and extensions to design the brand’s acrylic system and brushes, while their colleague, Hungarian nail artist Erika Bakos, worked on the nail art brushes and gel paints. The goal, they say, was to provide different options to nail techs, whether it’s plenty of colors (their gel paints are available in 18) or nail forms designed to be sturdy and easy to use.

Via Instagram @emesekoppanyi

Via Instagram @emesekoppanyi

The two keep their competition skills fresh, too. Koppànyi has been able to continue competing while working with Edko. Edange has competed less while focusing on building the business, but he hopes to return to competition as well. Still, they’ve been able to collaborate within the competition arena: With Bakos, they won a team relay race. “Erika applied the tip, I applied the product, and Fred finished and filed,” says Koppànyi.

For more information, go to www.edkonails.com.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.