Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Alex Feller | Image courtesy of Artlist
Alex Feller, Manicurist
Hometown: Paris, France
Based: Paris 19ème (19th arrondissement)
Representation: Artlist
How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
My work is centered on creating a sharp, emotional impact. My signature lies in blending hyperrealism with a dreamlike quality, bringing together precision and imagination. This contrast defines my style, turning nails into visual statements that feel like small pieces of art with their own narrative.
What sparked your interest in nail art, and was there a defining moment that made you pursue it professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to nail art. For me, it’s a creative canvas that extends a look, a mood, or a feeling. At a moment in my life when I felt the need to reinvent myself, I was in Venice Beach with my friend Sebastien, who simply said, “You love nails, so go for it.” When I returned to Paris, I started taking classes and spent months practicing. Meeting Cléa, who later became my agent, gave me the opportunity to turn my creativity into a true artistic path. That’s where the journey really began.
What non-fashion/beauty influences (art, film, literature, music, etc.) shape your creative perspective?
I’m deeply influenced by creatives outside the fashion and beauty world, from Solange Knowles, Arthur Jafa, to Vanessa Beecroft, Julia Ducournau, Roland Barthes, and Aus Taylor. Their work shapes the atmosphere I’m drawn to: emotional, conceptual, and visually driven.
You’ve worked with Coperni for their past two show seasons. How would you describe your collaborative process with the brand/team?
Having worked in the industry for over ten years, I have a deep understanding of how collections come to life. With Coperni, our conversations go beyond the surface as we discuss the essence of the collection, its mood, and the finer design details. I take these insights and translate them into nail concepts, creating designs that act as an extension of the collection itself. It’s a collaborative process where nails become another layer of storytelling that echoes the vision of the brand.
What’s your process for conceptualizing? Do you start with references, emotions, or something else entirely?
My process for conceptualizing starts with a strong emotion in my head. I see the image before I create it, and bring it to life. I do use references, but in a broad and intuitive way; I don’t necessarily build mood boards.
What other jobs have you had?
When I first arrived in Paris 20 years ago, I took on every job I could find, from nightlife to office work. During that time, I pursued fashion studies and later became a sales coordinator for several brands, including Balenciaga, when Demna first joined. I’ve always been drawn to creative worlds and curious about exploring every artistic path, which eventually led me to focus on music and writing before turning my attention to nails.
What’s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist. I work across music and creative direction, and I’ve recently begun exploring modeling as well. Navigating these different fields allows me to express myself in various ways and keep expanding my creative universe.
What’s been the most challenging moment in your career, and what did you take away from it?
One of the most challenging moments in my career came during one of my first shows, when I had just 36 hours to prepare 400 nails. To make it even more intense, I had to change the designs only a few hours before the show. Thanks to my team, who worked with complete harmony and fluidity, we managed to pull it off. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure, anticipating the unexpected, and trusting in the strength of a well-coordinated team, lessons that continue to shape the way I work today.
Who do you think is one to watch?
I pay attention to people who share a mindset close to mine, individuals who, through their own creative medium, are actively rebuilding a sense of connection, whether emotional, social, or cultural. I’m drawn to people who create with intention, who question the world around them, and translate that into meaningful work. Those are the ones worth watching, because their creativity resonates far beyond aesthetics.
Chouaib Arif, Casting Director
Zulu, Musician
Cécilia Feller, Director
Yann Turchi, Photographer
Mélissa Rouillé, Hair Stylist
Damèse Savidan, Stylist
Selected Work
Larissa Moraes by Eamonn-Freel | Image courtesy of Artlist
Backstage Chaos, i-D Magazine
This image is a tribute to backstage. We staged a backstage scene that echoes our work as a team, and the collaboration that day was truly special. The picture reflects both what we created and what we lived.
Isabelle Huppert by Juergen Teller | Image courtesy of Artlist
Purple Magazine #42 F/W 2024 Covers
A rare press-on moment for Isabelle Huppert, with a nail detail nodding to Balenciaga’s LA collection — shot in Belleville, a neighborhood in Eastern Paris that’s personal to me.
Imaan Hammam by Gabriel Moses | Image courtesy of Artlist
Imaan, Pop Magazine
This editorial shot by Gabriel Moses reflects his unmistakable light and modern visual language. It feels singular and slightly avant-garde.
Irina Shayk by Sharna Osborne | Image courtesy of Artlist
Literally beyond, Self-Service
Sharna Osborne’s kinescoped texture gives this shot a timeless, other-era mood. For a special Saint Laurent editorial, the unexpectedly long, black-gradient nails push Irina Shayk’s power even further, very much in line with the Saint Laurent woman.
Kristen McMenamy, Milan Bodemer, Julia Nobis by Mark Kean | Image courtesy of Artlist
Tom Ford A/W 25 Campaign
A campaign that signals a new era: Mark Kean’s image of Kristen McMenamy, Milan Bodemer, and Julia Nobis captures the poetic realism and refined strength of Haider Ackermann’s debut for Tom Ford.
