As beauty lovers and creators of New Zealand’s first homegrown gel nail polish brand, fashion has always inspired us. Beauty and fashion are both are powerful ways to express individuality and creativity, which is why we jumped at the opportunity to become a Friend of NZ Fashion Week. As a brand deeply rooted in beauty, self-expression, and innovation, we're proud to support one of Aotearoa’s most iconic celebrations of creativity and style. From the runway to the nail desk, fashion is in the details, and we’re here for all of it.
Gelous' Role in the NZ Fashion Week Campaign Shoot
Credit: NZ Fashion Week.
One of the highlights for us was getting to be involved in the official NZFW 2025 campaign shoot. Our talented nail artist, Erica Gillett, had the exciting role of creating the nail looks for the campaign, working alongside an incredible team consisting of: Creative Director Dan Ahwa, photographer Mara Sommer, makeup artist Kiekie Stanners, and hairstylist Sara Allsop, supported by the amazing assistants John Szteo, Levi Tan, Daf Nimkovsky, and Josh Scott. Together, this team brought to life a vibrant and inclusive campaign that showcased a diverse lineup of models and fashion, and we’re proud that Gelous gel nails played a part in the story.
Experiencing the Shows
New Zealand Fashion Week itself was nothing short of inspiring. Some of our team were lucky enough to attend a few shows and soak up the energy of the thriving New Zealand fashion scene.
Claudia Li at NZ Fashion Week
Claudia Li’s show at NZ Fashion Week 2025 marked her first runway in three years, and her very first at home in New Zealand. Her collection, “A Different Place and Time”, drew inspiration from one of her favourites from a decade ago, reimagined through the lens of her developed style.
Known for her sculptural silhouettes and bold use of texture, Li presented pieces that felt both powerful and intentional. With bold silhouettes, soft fabrics, sharp tailoring, and a minimal colour palette, the collection felt effortless yet still carried the dramatic edge that defines her style.
The atmosphere was electric, with a real sense of excitement in the room as Claudia Li showed in New Zealand for the very first time.
Kathryn Wilson at NZ Fashion Week
Kathryn Wilson’s show at NZ Fashion Week 2025 was a celebration of her outstanding craftsmanship and timeless designs. Known as one of New Zealand’s leading footwear designers, Wilson showcased a collection of shoes designed to be loved, worn, and treasured for years to come.
The runway highlighted her signature mix of elegance and practicality, with statement heels, refined silhouettes, and playful details that captured the energy of modern New Zealand fashion.
Watching it live, our team loved the energy on the Kathryn Wilson's elevated runway, the playful models, the vibrant outfits, and of course, the shoes.
Runway-Inspired Nail Art
Fashion Week isn’t just about what happens on the runway, it’s about how those moments translate into everyday style. To celebrate our role as a Friend of NZ Fashion Week 2025, we created nail art inspired by Trelise Cooper, who showed some of her iconic designs in the opening event "Into the Archives", and the Breast Cancer Cure Designer Showcase.
Known for bold colour, playful glamour, and statement-making details, Trelise Cooper’s style gave us the perfect inspiration to create something for your next nail look: floral, flirty, and eye-catching.
Being part of NZ Fashion Week 2025, from contributing to the official campaign shoot to experiencing shows like Claudia Li and Kathryn Wilson, was an unforgettable experience for the Gelous team. It reminded us how closely beauty and fashion are connected, and how much creativity, confidence, and individuality they inspire. We’re proud that Gelous gel nails played a part in this celebration of New Zealand fashion.
