Jin Soon Choi, the Steven Meisel-approved editorial manicurist with a small clutch of beloved New York-based spas, just launched her own eponymous collection of polishes. They're divided into two categories, “The Quintessential' (classic shades, mostly nudes and rosier hues) and “A La Mode' (trend-based shades that will, like trends, change seasonally), the latter named by Choi's model pals such as Karlie Kloss [2], Caroline Trentini [3], Coco Rocha [4], Guinevere Van Seenus [5], Jamie Bochert [6], and Hyoni Kang [7]. We spoke to Jin Soon about her latest endeavor, and the benefit of having friends in high heels/places:

“I’ve been doing editorial for over twenty years, so I think it’s a good time for me to go to the next step,” Choi said. “The industry is booming and there’s room for me... I want to introduce high-fashion colors because these days people think fashionable nails is having nail art or stickers, but it’s not—that’s more of a ‘fun’ nail. I may not dress like a high-fashion, stylish person but what I wanted to do was create a simple, sophisticated high-fashion line and show what real, sophisticated fashion colors are.”

That was where the model support came in. “It was easy to know who to ask [for help],” she said. “I like good people, nice people. I know it can make some people feel uncomfortable, some models have contracts with companies already, so I asked only those who could really say 'yes' to me and support me, which worked.”

The formula is 5-free (meaning they are free of the 'big three' chemicals—formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or DBP, and toluene—as well as formaldehyde resin and camphor), and is patented for it’s super-glossy finish. “I’m all about natural, high gloss. It’s as close as you can get to the effect of a gel without ruining your nail,” Choi added. “The high gloss was important to me. High fashion, to me, is high gloss, without any sparkle or anything.”

Photos from Jin Soon Choi.