{"id":168752,"date":"2025-12-02T11:45:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T16:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=168752"},"modified":"2026-05-22T16:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:14:18","slug":"alex-fellers-hyperrealist-approach-to-nail-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=168752","title":{"rendered":"Alex Feller\u2019s Hyperrealist Approach to Nail Art"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><em>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.<\/em><\/p>\n<style>\n.quote {\nline-height: 1.2em !important;\npadding: 35px 25px;\n}\n.wp-caption {\n    margin-top: 65px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141369\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/alex-feller.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1462\" height=\"1581\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168754\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/alex-feller\">Alex Feller<\/a> | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/alex-feller\">Alex Feller<\/a>, Manicurist<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hometown:<\/strong> Paris, France<br \/>\n<strong>Based:<\/strong> Paris 19\u00e8me (19th arrondissement)<br \/>\n<strong>Representation:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/artlist\">Artlist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What sparked your interest in nail art, and was there a defining moment that made you pursue it professionally?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019ve always been drawn to nail art. For me, it\u2019s 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, \u201cYou love nails, so go for it.\u201d When I returned to Paris, I started taking classes and spent months practicing. Meeting Cl\u00e9a, who later became my agent, gave me the opportunity to turn my creativity into a true artistic path. That\u2019s where the journey really began.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What non-fashion\/beauty influences (art, film, literature, music, etc.) shape your creative perspective?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m deeply influenced by creatives outside the fashion and beauty world, from <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/solange-knowles\">Solange Knowles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/arthur-jafa\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arthur Jafa<\/a>, to <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/vanessa-beecroft\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Vanessa Beecroft<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/julia-ducournau\">Julia Ducournau,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roland-Gerard-Barthes\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Roland Barthes<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm13435129\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aus Taylor<\/a>. Their work shapes the atmosphere I\u2019m drawn to: emotional, conceptual, and visually driven.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve worked with <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/coperni\">Coperni<\/a> for their past two show seasons. How would you describe your collaborative process with the brand\/team?<\/strong><br \/>\nHaving worked in the industry for over ten years, I have a deep understanding of how collections come to life. With <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/coperni\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Coperni<\/a>, 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\u2019s a collaborative process where nails become another layer of storytelling that echoes the vision of the brand.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s your process for conceptualizing? Do you start with references, emotions, or something else entirely?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy 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\u2019t necessarily build mood boards. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What other jobs have you had?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/balenciaga\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Balenciaga<\/a>, when <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/demna-gvasalia\">Demna <\/a> first joined. I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m a multi-disciplinary artist. I work across music and creative direction, and I\u2019ve recently begun exploring modeling as well. Navigating these different fields allows me to express myself in various ways and keep expanding my creative universe.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s been the most challenging moment in your career, and what did you take away from it?<\/strong><br \/>\nOne 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who do you think is one to watch?<\/strong><br \/>\nI 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\u2019m 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.<br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/chouaib-arif\">Chouaib Arif,<\/a> Casting Director<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/7oulou\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zulu<\/a>, Musician<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ceciliafeller\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">C\u00e9cilia Feller<\/a>, Director<br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/yann-turchi\">Yann Turchi,<\/a> Photographer<br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/melissa-rouille\">M\u00e9lissa Rouill\u00e9,<\/a> Hair Stylist<br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/damese-savidan\">Dam\u00e8se Savidan,<\/a> Stylist<\/p>\n<h3>Selected Work<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/i-D-Magazine-x-Eamonn-Freel-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3833\" height=\"5000\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168757\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nLarissa Moraes by Eamonn-Freel | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/i-d-magazine-backstage-chaos\/2642211\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Backstage Chaos, i-D Magazine<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis 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.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/Purple-Magazine-x-Juergen-Teller.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2835\" height=\"3827\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168758\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nIsabelle Huppert by Juergen Teller | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/purple-magazine-purple-magazine-42-fw-2024-covers\/2353325\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Purple Magazine #42 F\/W 2024 Covers<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nA rare press-on moment for <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/isabelle-huppert\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isabelle Huppert<\/a>, with a nail detail nodding to <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/client\/balenciaga\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Balenciaga\u2019s<\/a> LA collection \u2014 shot in Belleville, a neighborhood in Eastern Paris that\u2019s personal to me.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/Pop-Magazine-x-Gabriel-Moses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2126\" height=\"2773\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168759\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nImaan Hammam by Gabriel Moses | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/pop-magazine-imaan\/2296369\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Imaan, Pop Magazine<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis editorial shot by <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/gabriel-moses\">Gabriel Moses<\/a> reflects his unmistakable light and modern visual language. It feels singular and slightly avant-garde.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/Self-Service-x-Shana-Osborne.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1379\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168760\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nIrina Shayk by Sharna Osborne | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/self-service-literally-beyond\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Literally beyond, Self-Service<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/sharna-osborne\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sharna Osborne\u2019s <\/a> kinescoped texture gives this shot a timeless, other-era mood. For a special <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/yves-saint-laurent\">Saint Laurent<\/a> editorial, the unexpectedly long, black-gradient nails push <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/Irina-Shayk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Irina Shayk\u2019s<\/a> power even further, very much in line with the <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/yves-saint-laurent\">Saint Laurent<\/a> woman.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/12\/Tom-Ford-x-Mark-Kean.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4500\" height=\"5625\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168761\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nKristen McMenamy, Milan Bodemer, Julia Nobis by Mark Kean | Image courtesy of Artlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/tom-ford-tom-ford-aw-25-campaign\/2591728\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tom Ford A\/W 25 Campaign<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nA campaign that signals a new era: <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/mark-kean\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Kean\u2019s <\/a> image of <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/kristen-mcmenamy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kristen McMenamy<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/milan-bodemer\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Milan Bodemer<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/julia-nobis\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julia Nobis<\/a> captures the poetic realism and refined strength of <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/haider-ackermann\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Haider Ackermann\u2019s <\/a> debut for <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/tom-ford\">Tom Ford<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent. Alex Feller, Manicurist Hometown: Paris, France Based: Paris 19\u00e8me (19th arrondissement) Representation: Artlist How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark? My work is centered on creating a sharp, emotional impact. My signature lies&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":168754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6476,12752,10414,16,13943],"tags":[15095,12921,13154],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168752"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/450"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=168752"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168773,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168752\/revisions\/168773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/168754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=168752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=168752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=168752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}