Pocock nail wraps

In the annals of nail art history, Zoe Pocock plays a prominent role.

The creative and technical whiz logged time as the head manicurist at a slew of cool London salons, Daniel Galvin and Windle & Moodie among them, before turning her attention to editorial work (Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, et al.) and celebrity clients like Adele.

That’s right; she of the incredible pipes and always-gorgeous talons is a Pocock regular; ditto Fergie, Kelly Osbourne, and, wait for it, Barbra Streisand. While Pocock earned a flurry of breathless accolades back in 2006 when she debuted the Louboutin manicure (a black nail with a bright red stripe underneath the tip, just like the sole of the famous shoes), it is in her role as creative director of Nail Rock that has left a lasting impression on the beauty world.

The brand’s innovative nail wraps have become number one in the U.K., and Pocock has collaborated on special-edition versions with Meadham Kirchhoff (see image at left) and Mulberry.

Here, as the Olympics continue to bring the world’s attention to London, Pocock shares some of her hometown beautifying favorites.