NTNA week 5 NSI 50's challenge

Though I love the nostalgia of the 50’s, I wanted to dig deeper and find something that had been all but forgotten. I wanted to bring to light something iconic, yet unexpected and hope my design not only takes you to a different era, but a different place. My design this week is inspired by the Tiki Culture Craze that EXPLODED in the 1950’s.

After much research, I want to share a few facts about how Tiki Culture came to be. World War II Veterans were returning home as the 50’s breached the horizon. “South Pacific” started on Broadway at the end of 1949, giving many a glimpse into the romanticized version of an exotic culture. The show toured for years and was also became a movie in 58’. All the while, the U.S. was setting the foundation for Hawaii’s entrance into the Union in 59’. With air travel and America’s curiosity of South East Asia, these influences became undeniable.

Throughout the 1950’s Tiki Bars and Lounges popped up everywhere, allowing an exotic escape for anyone. Tiki culture influenced fashion prints, marketing, home design, and more throughout the decade. With all of this wonderful inspiration, I was hooked like everyone else in the 50’s (and those that STILL follow Tiki Culture today)!

Ultimately, I chose to recreate textile prints on my sculpted nails. The black and most other colors came from the vintage fabric. I thought using these colors honored the design, but also gave it an edge. I wanted to modernize and bring the design to life with gel lacquer and acrylic 3D elements. I loved the opaque print, but added a few Swarovski elements for a touch of sparkle. Other abstract elements of nature were added to keep the tropical feel alive. Lastly, to pay homage to the lounges and the iconic drinks they created, I added a sculpted gel cocktail glass with my abstract Tiki man. I hope all of these elements take you to paradise as we near the halfway point of NTNA. Let’s cheers to our WWII vets, Tiki Culture, the 50’s, NSI, and NTNA!