Nika Belilovsky Is Bringing Nail Art Into the World of Football

From tunnel fits to beauty brands partnering with teams, the modern athlete is no longer just performing on the pitch. They’re expressing their personal style and identity in full. And increasingly, that expression is happening down to the smallest of details.

There was a time when beauty and sport existed in two completely separate worlds. One lived in locker rooms and stadiums, the other backstage at Fashion Week and on glossy editorial pages. Now, that line is disappearing before our eyes.

Enter Nika.

A New York–based nail artist and creative, Nika is helping redefine what beauty looks like in football. Whether she’s backstage at Fashion Week or designing custom sets for Gotham FC, she’s carving out her own lane and proving that nail art has a place in the game.

In her world, even the smallest details carry weight.

We spoke to Nika about bringing nail art into football, designing for athletes, and why beauty belongs in the game.

Jessica: Introduce yourself — who are you, and what do you do?

Nika: My name is Nika and I’m a NYC-based nail artist and content creator. You can find me working with clients to create expressive nail art, behind the scenes at fashion week, on editorials, and leading pop-ups around New York City. I make sure nails get the recognition they deserve because they’re a small, but mighty canvas.

Jessica: You’re designing nail art for Gotham FC — how did that relationship come together?

Nika: I initially partnered with Gotham FC for a fan activation at one of their matches, where I was doing nails live at the stadium. The turnout was amazing, and it organically led to me being asked to do the players’ nails for media day. From there, I created custom Gotham-inspired sets for the team, which was a really exciting full-circle moment.

Jessica: What does working in football change about your approach to nail design, if anything?

Nika: It definitely shifts my mindset a bit. There’s more emphasis on movement, durability, and how the nails read on camera and from a distance. I want to make sure the nails are bold and stand out, while also being light enough for the players to wear comfortably. It becomes about balancing function with something visually striking.

Jessica: How would you describe your creative signature right now?

Nika: I love doing something different on each nail because I believe life is too short to just pick one design or one color. I’ve been really into mixing different patterns, textures, and colors, but curating them to fit a specific vibe so it all looks intentional.

Jessica: What inspires your designs beyond nails — music, fashion, culture?

Nika: I’d say a mix of everything. Fashion is a big one because it inspires me in terms of color combinations and textures. Culture is another major influence — I love Korean and Japanese nail art because it’s common to have bold, over-the-top designs with something different on each nail. I also draw inspiration from pop culture and music, whether that’s album covers, shows I’m watching, or even fun product packaging.

Jessica: What does it mean to bring beauty into a space like football that hasn’t always centered it?

Nika: I think it’s about time we see beauty brought into the sports space. It doesn’t take anything away from the game — it adds another layer of identity and self-expression. We’ve already seen fashion merge with sports through things like tunnel fits, and it’s become such a big part of the culture. Beauty is a natural extension of that, and I’m excited to see it continue to grow and to be part of that shift.

Jessica: Where do you want to take this next — what does the future look like for you?

Nika: As a born and raised New Yorker who played sports growing up, being involved in women’s sports — especially with New York teams — really hits close to home. Women’s sports are finally getting the attention and support they’ve always deserved, and I want to keep contributing to that momentum. I hope to continue working with teams, athletes, and larger creative projects. Nail art belongs everywhere, especially here. I’ve had the honor of working with both the New York Liberty and Gotham FC, and I’d love to keep being part of their journeys.