Since jewelry designer Jess Hannah introduced her eponymous line of 11 nuanced, non-toxic nail polishes in 2017, those who once identified as lacquer-averse have been able to indulge in a shiny—but nevertheless subtle—coat of an earthy mushroom-like beige, or a muted pink inspired by the paintings of Agnes Martin. Now, the Los Angeles-based 29-year-old is extending her carefully considered oeuvre even further with a limited-edition polish pack created in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s About Time exhibition.
“Even though this is truly a polish product it was important for me to interpret [the theme of time] through the lens of a jewelry designer,” says Hannah, who looked towards the past—much like she does for her signature handmade hoops and signet rings—for inspiration. “For us, that meant exploring the different eras of jewelry trends throughout the ages—whether Edwardian, Victorian, or Art Deco—and distilling that down as an exploration of the ornamental through palette, texture, and symbolism,” she adds.
The resulting collection arrives in a petite reusable zip-pouch, which is available to pick up at the Met’s Fifth Avenue gift shop (and, luckily for those who don’t find themselves in New York, online). Riffing off of the show’s color palette, there’s a creamy white reminiscent of the hushed hue of cameo pendants; a subtly off-black black (less punk rock; more everyday neutral); and an opalescent pearl which, Hannah notes, is entirely foolproof. The silver and gold shades—called Talisman and Deco, respectively—meanwhile, contain large chunks of glitter suspended in a clear base. “It feels like a chic, grown-up version of sparkles,” Hannah muses of the festive finish. “You can paint it onto bare nails or layer it to create different effects.” In other words, the possibilities are endless.
