Students at the Celebrity School of Beauty in Miami are sent into the working world with a graduation as creative as the beauty profession they’re about to enter. Students prepare a mini-show inspired by their respective profession (cosmetology, nail technology, esthetics, etc), then are given about five minutes to display it during the ceremony festivities.

This December’s show by the nail technology graduates was especially creative. “Nail technology students have one of the biggest challenges when it comes to illustrating their occupation, given that their work sometimes goes underestimated or is overshadowed by the more exotic hair and makeup looks,” says Daykel Menendez, director of education and marketing for the school. “One day, while conversing with the lead nail instructor about her students’ participation in the ceremony, our executive director [pictured in left photo] had the idea of crafting a ‘nail dress.’ And so, our nail technology department, with the assistance of 25 students and one faculty member, began their project, dedicating nine hours per day for over four weeks to create a magnificent piece of art.”

The piece consisted of a black dress covered with nail tips designed with colorful acrylic flowers. The dress has more than 500 tips, covering both the front and the back. “It became one of the highlights of the night,” Menendez says.