Sha’Carri Richardson is making waves not just with her record-breaking speed but also with her bold and stylish nail designs. During the 2024 Olympics, her eye-catching manicures were on full display, adding a unique flair to her performances.
Known for her love of flashy nails, Richardson collaborated with New York-based nail artist Kelly Phan to create a series of custom press-on sets. Phan, whose work has been featured in top fashion magazines, was personally chosen by Richardson to design a variety of looks for the competition.
For the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Phan crafted a patriotic set using red, white, and blue, incorporating an American flag, embellished French tips, and sparkling jewels to showcase national pride. As the competition progressed, Richardson sported a vibrant neon stiletto set for her 100M semi-final, featuring handpicked beads and gemstones arranged in a mosaic pattern.
Phan’s creativity shone through in every design. For Richardson’s third set, she opted for a more subtle look with soft purple and lavender hues, which perfectly complemented the USA track and field uniform. Before winning silver in the 100M final, Richardson was seen with her hands clasped in prayer, her nails adding an extra touch of elegance to the moment.
For the final set, Phan went for a bold, golden design with tiger-like tips and gold studs outlining a nude base. This set was meant to symbolize victory, and fittingly, Richardson went on to win gold in the Women’s 4x100m Relay. She later wore this striking set while attending the Men’s Basketball Olympic Games Final, seated alongside Jimmy Fallon and Carmelo Anthony.
Kelly Phan has proven herself to be a standout in the world of nail artistry, creating designs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply personal. Each set she crafted for Richardson was a masterpiece, blending creativity, symbolism, and style in a way that set them apart from anything seen before.