Stiletto – Extreme Sculpture
Create beyond the ordinary. Sculpt beyond the limits.
This is an advanced competition category created for nail artists who want to demonstrate exceptional skill in extreme nail architecture, sculpting, technical precision and creative nail design.
The objective is to create one extraordinary extreme stiletto nail that demonstrates a high level of technical ability while maintaining a clearly recognizable, balanced and beautifully constructed nail architecture.
This category is not simply about creating the longest or most decorated nail.
The winning entry should demonstrate:
Extreme Architecture + Technical Mastery + Creativity + Precision + Visual Impact
Each competitor may enter ONE nail only.
The presentation must clearly show the nail as a single competition nail.
The finished nail must measure more than 5 inches / 12 cm, measured from the cuticle area to the free edge/tip.
The length must be incorporated into the overall architecture and must not simply be added for visual effect.
The finished nail must clearly demonstrate a stiletto foundation.
Competitors may interpret the stiletto creatively and may incorporate advanced architectural elements, but the fundamental stiletto character must remain visible.
This category encourages competitors to push the boundaries of nail architecture.
Advanced architectural techniques may include:
- extreme length;
- dramatic C-curves;
- advanced apex placement;
- sculptural architecture;
- dimensional structure;
- negative space;
- encapsulated architecture;
- layered construction;
- advanced shaping techniques;
- technically demanding structural elements.
A larger or more complicated structure does not automatically receive a higher score.
Competitors have complete artistic freedom regarding the design.
The design may include:
- 3D elements;
- encapsulation;
- crystals;
- rhinestones;
- bullion;
- pigments;
- glitter;
- foil;
- texture;
- sculpted elements;
- mixed-media techniques;
- optical effects;
The design may be placed:
- on top of the nail;
- underneath the nail;
- within the structure;
- along the side;
- around the architectural elements.
The design must remain integrated with the nail and should complement the architecture.
3D elements are permitted.
Large figurines or decorative objects that completely replace or obscure the nail architecture are not the objective of this category.
If decorative elements substantially prevent judges from assessing the architecture, points may be deducted.
Permitted materials include:
- Acrylic
- Gel
- Acrygel
- Builder Gel
- Colour products
- Pigments
- Glitter
- Foils
- Crystals
- Rhinestones
- Bullion
- Encapsulation materials
- Other professional nail-art material
The following are prohibited:
- 1Pre-made architectural components.
- 2Nail moulds used to create the finished competition nail.
- 33D printed nail-art elements.
- 4Pre-made figurines.
- 5Ready-made sculptures.
- 6Covering small objects with gel or acrylic to create decorative elements.
- 7Any technique intended to disguise the use of a prohibited pre-made element.
Judges may inspect materials or the working process if necessary.
Any competitor found deliberately using prohibited pre-made elements may be disqualified.
The entry must be the competitor’s own original creation.
The work must not have:
- previously won in another competition;
- been published as a finished competition entry on social media;
- been published in a magazine or journal;
- been publicly exhibited as a completed competition piece;
- been copied from another artist’s work.
The competitor may draw inspiration from fashion, nature, architecture, art, culture or other sources.
The final work must represent the competitor’s own creative interpretation.
The display system should allow judges to inspect the nail from multiple angles.
The nail must be accessible for:
- front view;
- rear view;
- top view;
- side view;
- underside;
- tip;
- C-curve;
- apex;
- sidewalls;
- overall architecture.
The nail must not be permanently fixed to a flat surface in a way that prevents complete inspection.
The presentation should be clean, professional and neutral ( black board )
All general rules apply to this competition
The category is judged out of 110 points.
The maximum score given for each of the 10 criteria is: 10pt nail shape, 20pt level of difficulty, 10pt creativity, 10pt color theory, 10pt graphic quality, 10pt originality, 10pt total impression, 10pt Media, 10pt finishing,10 pt 3D presentation