Minki

Yay, hi Minki. I have been looking forward to this conversation for a while, because we’ve known each other for a few years now.

Three years, yeah.

And I was trying to think about this on the way over, but I can’t remember how we met… I used to get my nails done at your flat.

We started first in my living room.

I feel like it might have been through Carlo or something like that. But anyway, ages ago, when I first met you and started getting my nails done, there really wasn’t a space in Leipzig doing nail art in the way you wanted to do it. And we’ll get into that. But also, some questions I actually don’t know about you yet—or maybe I’ve forgotten—could you share a bit about what brought you to Leipzig and your background? How did you end up here?

I always think I did it the other way around. I was in Berlin for a long time, nearly 10 years. I lived there through my mid-20s until my 30s, and I really had this wild time living in Berlin. After 10 years, I decided to completely change my life—as I’ve done several times before. I’m not afraid of change. And I was also pregnant then, with a baby boy, and I decided I didn’t want to be a mom in Kreuzberg.

Yeah, I didn’t want to live there being a single mom—well, not technically single, but I didn’t have any friends with kids. None of my friends were having kids yet. And then I visited Leipzig because my baby’s father was studying art here, and I thought, Okay, I’ll give this place a chance. It’s really family-friendly, and maybe a new part of my life can start here.

I wanted to close the door to my old life and start something completely new, to go 100% into being a mom for one or two years. And yeah, I thought Leipzig was the right place to do this. I couldn’t imagine being a mom after being a punk girl in the same city.

I totally understand that—wanting a fresh start with this fresh babe. And also, what you describe about Leipzig being really family-friendly, which it still is.

After 10 years of living in bars and going to Berghain, yeah, I definitely needed the opposite.

It’s interesting because I remember my first time in Kreuzberg and loving it so much—the aesthetic there. And Leipzig is similar in a way.

You have to remember, that was like 14 years ago. It was really different then—much rougher, it’s changed a lot and grown a lot. I remember when I started going out here 14 years ago, I always carried my own drinks because the drinks in the bars were so horrible. I had my own drinks with ice and my own glass because I couldn’t stand it. I’d worked in cocktail bars before, and I was like, It’s so shitty everywhere; I have to carry my own drinks. Oh my gosh.

So, you came for the fresh start—did you imagine staying here? What really made you settle?

I’m staying because I think Leipzig needs spaces like this. I’m happy for everyone who leaves the town to find their own way and their own thing—but if everyone left, the city would lose so much. And also, I didn’t know which other city in Germany I could go to. Definitely not back to Berlin.

And I can’t do small towns—I’ve lived in big cities, and I couldn’t move somewhere smaller. I always say the center of Leipzig is the most “village” thing I could imagine. It’s still small and like a village, but I couldn’t go anywhere smaller. And I don’t like Hamburg, I don’t like Frankfurt, and I don’t like Cologne. I lived in Cologne before—it’s done for me. So, I couldn’t imagine another city. That’s why I’m staying here. And honestly, I feel like the city needs me.

It definitely does. Okay, great transition into this beautiful studio where we are currently sitting—as I’m getting my nails done. How would you describe Sex Nails to someone who’s never heard of it or seen it before?

For me, Sex Nails is my home. It’s my personal safe space, and I try to share this feeling and this dream with other people. I invite people to be part of it—whether as clients, friends, or artists.

It’s a place where things and people come together. It’s really personal, and people chat and get to know each other. We sit here and talk about all kinds of stuff—it’s good for coming together. But it’s also a really personal place, and I want to keep it that way. I want it to be a place with a lot of heart—and art. It’s also a fun place for art, and I’m working with artists from the city who have the chance to show their work here.

It’s really much more than a nail studio.

Yeah, definitely. It started with the nails because, when we met at my place, I already had this concept in my mind—a kind of concept store. I had to start somewhere. And since then, it’s changed and grown naturally, and that feels really good.

What was the turning point for you—when you felt confident that opening the studio was the right move? Was there a specific moment, or was it more of a gradual process?

It has two parts. First, before opening something like this, I had to actually be good at what I was doing. I needed to learn and improve my skills. And as my skills got better and I felt more confident, I thought, Okay, I’d like to open up because I also need more hands.

And then it came about naturally. I was asked by the owners of MZIN, Karen Laube & Philip Neumann, if I wanted to take over their space. They were moving to the MDBK, and this space became free. They were looking for something new to fill it and were also thinking about the street, because Kolonnadenstrasse is really a special place in Leipzig—it’s not like other streets. It has a special feeling.

They were thinking, What would be a good addition to this area? And they heard about my nail art. Karen is unbelievable—she has a really good sense for what could happen and for art in general. So she found me—maybe even just on the street. Lucky!

Yeah, lucky for you and for the street!

It was just the right moment. I thought, Okay, I don’t want to be in my living room anymore. I want to reach more people and create this nail place that doesn’t exist in the city.

I was a nail customer before too, and I never found a place where I really felt seen.

Yes, it’s a very unique experience. It really feels more like an art studio somehow—it’s not a regular nail appointment.

Yeah, that’s right. We really grow friendships here—or at least really get to know each other. No one has to, of course, but the chance is there because the people who come are really interested, and we talk about so many different things.

But it’s kind of hard to get an appointment now! I know it’s growing… What you just described makes me think of that, because it’s true—you develop a relationship with the space by becoming a customer. But it also feels like a commitment, somehow, to the space and the practice of nail art. It’s not something you just leave behind.

Yeah. And I also had to figure out for myself—Is this really something I want to do? I had these ideas in my mind, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to actually do it five days a week, for eight or nine hours a day.

But Leipzig really wants this place—overwhelmingly, yes.

Yeah, a resounding yes—we do!

Let’s talk a little about the graphic design for the logo, which I love. And I love seeing it evolve as well. We have SEX on the window here, and I love it. How did you create the logo for Sex Nails?

That was easy—I just gave it to the best graphic designer I know! Aurelia Markwalder. She’s a genius. She’s not just a graphic designer; she also designs font types. It was a perfect match. She’s also kind of classy but punk, and it was just the perfect collaboration.

I told her I wanted a logo, and she came back with just two different styles. I picked the first one immediately—it was like bam, bam, bam.

It’s super unique, and it really represents the style of the space too.

I told her I didn’t want a font that already exists. It should be a logo, but also like a custom typeface. She just invented it. I love it. It’s unique.

Do you think the studio and the logo reflect your personal style?

Yes, definitely. This is me—an extension of me. I couldn’t surround myself with things that don’t reflect who I am. Sometimes it’s stressful because I can’t stand things that don’t fit me. But luckily, I’m always building my own little pods around me. I’ve always done that, for as long as I can remember.

You’re so good at it—you really are. And I love your style.

So, in terms of inspiration, are there people, experiences, or places that influenced your work and the vision behind Sex Nails?

I wouldn’t say there’s anyone specific. I’m constantly collecting from everywhere. I’m such a visual person—I’m always collecting. I can’t even remember all the names. You can ask me later, and I can make you a list!

Definitely, there are nail artists I adore. Designers I admire. But mostly, I’m interested in textures. I really love combining natural and fake materials—things that are opposites, really clashing. That’s also why I love my job. Every time it’s different, and I’m never bored.

How do you balance that artistic side of your work—being a nail artist and creative person—with the logistical business side of running the studio and the space?

I’m a very organized and clean person, and that really helps me with the business side of things, even though I do forget things sometimes. But I really need everything to be clear—also in my house, wherever I am, it’s always cleaned up. I think I might have a little issue with cleaning, but for me, it gives me peace of mind. I need that in my surroundings, everywhere I go.

So, cleanliness and order help you feel safe and grounded?

Yeah, it helps me feel safe and allows me to think clearly. I need everything cleaned up around me.

People often say that your surroundings reflect your state of mind. If you live in chaos and a mess, you can’t think straight.

Yeah, that’s right. And that’s why a lot of artists struggle to grow in a system—because when the system comes, it crashes into chaos.

Luckily, I have this inner need for things to be organized and clean, so I’m able to work within the system somehow. But as soon as I sit here, doing nails, I go into my tunnel. Now I’m in my tunnel—sometimes I’m really quiet because I’m on another planet or universe.

And then I’m just feeling.

That’s amazing. It’s like meditation. I really think artists can access that state.

That’s how I can do this for nine or eleven hours straight—I don’t feel anything from the outside. I’m just in my tunnel.

I love that. That’s such a powerful experience.

But okay, what about the most challenging aspects of running this creative space? How do you navigate challenges?

Trust. Trust, definitely.

I’ve changed my life a lot. I’ve done many different things, and I’m not afraid of change because I feel like I’m kind of on the lucky side of life. I always have this sense of where my next step is, and it always comes—the next day, the next thing. So I really trust in the process.

I think that kind of trust is well rewarded in the universe. If you trust, the universe brings you luck.

Being true is also really important. That’s something I really want from other people too. I need truth, because I think we can handle anything if people are just honest—about where they’re at, what they need, even if they don’t know what they need. Just say that. Share something of your story.

That’s so deep—big life lessons right there.

You talked a little bit about how the space brings people together, and the feeling you want people to have when they’re here. What’s something you really hope people take away from their experience at Sex Nails?

I think what makes me happiest is when people tell me they came in with something heavy on their back and they leave feeling different—like something changed, and they’re no longer stuck.

That’s what I want from the sessions we do here with the nails—it’s a treatment.

It really is a kind of self-care to come here, and that’s so nice—that you want people to feel refreshed.

And on the other side, there’s also the concept store and the things we present here.

All the artists are really new—still studying design or fashion—and I want them to be seen. I want them to have the experience of representing their art, finding their own style and their own way. I’m sharing this space with them.

Like the rings we have from Crystal Claws or Lucia Antonia—those are always one-of-a-kind. And then they find the perfect person to wear them, and it’s a match forever. That’s really sweet.

Even the secondhand clothes we have—it’s not in three sizes. Everything is just one piece. And then the right person comes along, and they find the perfect thing to wear. People leave here with a positive experience.

I love that. It’s beautiful how you share the space with these artists who are also creating, and how you give them the chance to sell their work in such a nice space. It all fits together perfectly.

Okay—future, future, future question. Where do you see Sex Nails evolving? Is there a dream for the studio that you haven’t realized yet? Or something new you’re working towards?

There are two paths in front of me, and I’m not sure which one I’ll choose.

I’m very much a heart-driven person, and when I think about something, it usually happens. That’s how it’s always been in my life. So, I really have to be careful about what I think!

Maybe I’ll go more private… or maybe I’ll go bigger. Bigger would mean finding another space. And I do feel it might move in that direction—but it has to be the right sign from the universe, the right place.

Because I really love doing nails—I don’t just want to manage things. A bigger space would mean more responsibilities, more people, and maybe not doing it alone anymore. It would mean building a team—finding people who want to share this with me.

I really like that direction. In the other conversations I’ve had about future visions for spaces or creative practices, it’s always this realization that things can’t just stay frozen in time. Life doesn’t work like that.

But it’s lovely right now.

Yeah, but it’s changing all the time.

Do you remember when you first came here? It’s already changed so much. But there will come a time when it won’t be able to change anymore—when it’s worn out. And that’ll be the next episode. I’m open to that, but as long as I feel like this is the place, then this is it. I haven’t seen anything else yet.

There are rare places like that—they need to have the right energy and the right surroundings.

If anyone has an interesting space to tempt Minki away from Kolonnadenstrasse… haha.

Let’s end with a little piece of advice. All the things you’ve said today are beautiful—there’s so much wisdom in here. But if someone was thinking about starting their own creative project or business, what advice would you give them?

I would say: constantly, constantly work on it. Do it every day. Keep repeating, learning, failing—a lot—and then learning from that failure.

Just keep going. Keep working. Even when it’s hard, protect that little bubble—that untouched, creative space. That’s what you have. That’s your biggest treasure.

Yeah—keep working.

Alright, I’m excited to finish my nails! And I really loved getting to know a bit more about the space and about you and your thoughts. I’m excited to see what’s next for Sex Nails. Thank you for having this conversation with me, Minki!

You’re welcome. Thank you!

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Nail Artists @ Sex Nails:

@zigg.nails

@methlabor

@nailz.alchemy

@atzetonia.nails

Artists Featured @ Sex Nails:

@rojarework

@crystal.claws_

@suessmaus.schmuck

@frank_jewels

@softer.jewellery

@gallanegra

@kohrture

@kikivintagestore

@do_you_like_my_dress

@sun.nly

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This conversation for eos archive was hosted by the project's founder, Micky Arratoon. Micky looks forward to hosting more conversations with those who are shaping and redefining subculture in Leipzig, Berlin and beyond. Get in touch to say hello@eosarchive.app.