03.16.22
Known for expressing himself through food, James Beard award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi has partnered with nail care brand Orly for a limited-edition breathable 1-step manicure collection that takes his creativity beyond the kitchen.
“Our team has been superfans of Kwame’s talent, motivation, and creativity for some time, and is delighted to be his first fashion and beauty partnership,” said Tal Pink, vice president of business development of Orly. “We are the color authority that provides tools for everyone to express themselves, which aligns so much with Kwame’s vision.”
Using color to tell his story, the collection features a tightly curated palette: Chef’s Kiss, a creamy black, Eggplant, a metallic purple shimmer with a slight masculine touch that mirrors the vegetable’s versatility, and Saute, a metallic silver reminiscent of the kitchen.
“I got into doing nails four years ago when my nieces asked me to go with them for a manicure, and I’ve been getting them done ever since,” said Onwuachi. “Just like I express myself through food in the kitchen, style is how I express myself everywhere else, and a well-groomed nail with a sleek color is a part of that.”
Known for his critically-acclaimed taste and demand for quality, Onwuachi sought to partner with Orly, a global nail brand with over 45 years of experience in creating innovative formulas and shades. Kwame was especially interested in the technology of the breathable formula, a one-step nail color that requires no base coat or topcoat and is oxygen- and moisture-permeable.
“It was important to me to find a partner that, like me, thought out-of-the-box and had exacting standards,” said Onwuachi. “For someone constantly washing their hands, the breathable formula, which prevents water-logging and is resistant to chipping, peeling, and cracking, matched everything I was looking for. The high quality matches my demanding expectations, and most importantly, the versatile colors celebrate style in and out of the kitchen.”
As a philanthropist, Onwuachi has close ties with Big & Littles NYC, a nonprofit group that provides one-on-one mentorship to children to help them succeed. Proceeds from the collection will benefit the non-profit with Orly matching the donation.
The collection is exclusively available on Orlybeauty.com. Individual polishes retail for $12 and the trio collection retails for $36. Waitlist is now available here.