New Jersey's First X'treme Nail Diva

 

AM.  When did you decide to let your Extreme Fashion Nails become your signature or  brand ?

LD. I started growing my nails at the age of thirteen.  There was a woman I met who had

        Extreme Nails.  That inspired me to grow them.  I can honestly say at that age I knew

        that they would become a part of my life and that I wanted to grow them to extreme

        lengths. 

AM.   How long did it take you to grow them that length?

LD.  About nine years.  In 2003, I was already at three inches when I decided to stop cutting and let them grow.

AM.  You are from Newark, New Jersey, correct.

LA.  I am from Perth Amboy, NJ, but reared in Newark, New Jersey.

 AM.  Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, what obstacles did you have to overcome growing

         your Extreme Fashion Nails?

LD.  Oh my, flash back!  People were so cruel to me at times.  They would whisper and some

        would just come out and say, “Oh that is nasty, I would not eat anything she cooked.”

        They would turn their noses up as I walked pass.  Sometimes, people have gotten up

        and moved to a table further from where I was sitting in a restaurant. It was crazy!

        They made me feel like I was from another planet or something!  It did not stop me

        though!

 AM. As an Extreme Fashion Nail Diva, did you experience more or less prejudice having

        Extreme Fashion Nails?

LD.  I can say I experienced more prejudice having Extreme Nails.

 AM.  You are not only beautiful, but your swagger is in-your-face, as evidenced by your

        flamboyant shoes, tattoos and toenails.

LA.  Thank you (smile).

 AD.  Has this helped to enhance your Extreme Fashion Nails?

LD.  Yes.  I can honestly say that the tattoos, shoes, and toenails have enhanced my extreme  nails.  It rather throws people off.  They are not sure what my passion is.  I love them all (smile)!

 AM.  What Fashion and Nail Expos have you attended?

LD.  I was in a nail show in New York called, “The Red Affair”, where my theme was

        butterflies.  Of course, we all had to wear red it was so beautiful.  I felt like a star with

        all the flashing lights from people taking pictures.  It was simply amazing!  I am looking

        forward to attending more one day.

 AM.  Can you expound on these and/or any other entertainment venues you support,

         specifically, the one in New Jersey that attracts so many extreme nail divas every year.

LD.  I only been in one nail show.  They do have something in Vegas it is every year. 

        Everyone from all over the world, meet up, have fun, take pictures, talk to people and

        just get to know each other.  I have not been to one yet, but it is a dream of mine to

        attend one year.  If it is God’s will, I will!

 AM.  Do you find that east coast men find women with Extreme Fashion Nails more

        attractive than women without?

LD.  Yes, they do find Extreme Nails more attractive.  I cannot honestly say that they all

        choose us over the women who do not have them, but they are attracted to them more. I guess it is because we are out here and you are now seeing more and more of us.  I

        was so happy when I found other women on the internet who shared the same passion

        as I did to grow them.

 AM.  Can you explain why it seems so many Fashion Nail Divas reside in the New York/New

        Jersey metro area?

LD. I think it may be because there is a lot of fashion here, hair designs and now nails have

        become very popular here as well.  You see someone with Extreme Nails and you like

        them and decide, “Hey, I like that!  I want to grow mines too” or “Let me see if I can do

        that.”  It is not for everybody and my nail tech helps a lot with that.  She will coach you

        into growing them long! Lol

 AM. Some other notable Fashion Nail Divas from your area are Citierra Stewart,

        Michelle Anthony, LaVerne Coleman, Debbie Warren, Marisass Ortiz, Sabrina Colon and Rose Santiago just to name a few.

LD. Yes.  They are all my nail sisters!

 AM.  What is the reason for such a concentration of unique women?

LD.  We all have the same nail tech, Ms. Maria Ortiz.  She is in New Jersey and that is where

        we all are from.  Maria is well known for her work.  I can be in another town and

        someone will see my nails and ask me, “Who does your nails?” Before I can answer,

        they will say, “Did Maria do them? I have heard about her.”  She is awesome and I do

        mean awesome!  She does all my nail designs.  I love her!  She is a part of my life, too!

 AM.  What is your signature design or color scheme?  You seem to be very skilled at

        coordinating your colorful attire with your nails.

LD.  I have no specific design or color scheme.  I love to do different designs and colors. 

        All of my life I had this thing where my nails, shoes and clothes had to match.  Red is my favorite color, but I love all colors.  I have many colors in my life! Lol

 AM.  Probably, the most insulting question women with Extreme Fashion Nails have to

        endure is, “How do you maintain your hygiene with those nails?”  How do you deal with that ignorance?

LD.  That just totally blows me away, sometimes!  How can someone, first of all, ask anyone how do they go to the bathroom?  I politely tell them the same way you do and if there is another way, please do tell me and I will try that way, too! Lol I am thinking that they are looking for another answer as to how we go to the bathroom.

 AM.  How do your grandchildren and/or your significant other feel about your Extreme

        Fashion Nails?

LD.  My grandchildren love my nails.  They have seen them all their lives.  They will always remember that their Granny had long fingernails.  Sometimes they accidentally run into them playing and they will say, “Oh, I'm sorry Granny, did I break it?”  It is so cute, they

        are so afraid they broke one!  My significant other loves them.  He had better! Lol 

        Anyone that I deal with must and will know that they are a part of me.  I would not talk

        to them if they did not like them.  What would be the point? I will not be cutting them

        anytime soon.

 AM.  Extreme Fashion Nails are fast becoming accepted as a fashion statement instead of an oddity.  Where do you see it going in New Jersey?

LD.  Wow!  I can honestly say more and more women are now interested in growing their

        nails.  I am starting to see it more and more.  My nail sisters!  You never know, one day

        they may build a community just for women with Extreme Nails to live there!

 AM.  How can our readers contact you for more info about your shoes, outfits and Extreme? Fashion Nails ?

LD.  Through my e-mail first, then I can provide them with a number, if I feel comfortable in doing that.

 AM.  Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

LD.  I want to say thank you for allowing me to be a part of this.  You have no idea how

        much this means to me!  If feels so good to have you and others that understand and

        appreciate what we have.  Our nails are a part of us!  God blessed us with this gift.  We  are all the same.  We may have our own style, our own desired length, we may be a

        different race, but we are all one, because we all share that desire and passion to grow

        Extreme Nails!  We have come a long way baby, to get where we got to today! (Smile) I

        love that saying.  We are here to stay!  Thank you and every one that is a part of

        Ambiance Magazine, Inc.  I love you!  I love you!  I love you!  I thank you!