About Bernadette
BERNADETTE THOMPSON
Architect of Modern Nail Culture
From a kitchen table in Yonkers, NY to global fashion, music, and art.
The story starts at a simple kitchen table in YONKERS, NY. Mary J. Blige sat across from Bernadette Thompson, hands resting on a towel, music humming low in the background. There were no studios, no glam teams, no brand deals just two young women grinding, creating, and refusing to let circumstance limit their vision.
That kitchen table became the birthplace of a movement. Bernadette wasn’t just polishing nails; she was shaping identity. Mixing colors by hand, creating finishes no one had seen, and discovering her gift for translating emotion into shade, shape, and style. Word spread quickly. Artists started knocking. Stylists started calling. Before long, the nails seen on album covers, magazine spreads, world tours, and red carpets were coming from the hands of the girl with the kitchen table studio and the eye no one could replicate.
Her work traveled far beyond NY. It appeared in global fashion houses, museum exhibits, editorial shoots, films, and music videos. She became the first Black women to start a nail brand in global history, setting a new standard for color, innovation, and artistry.
But the truth was always the same: the culture inspired the world, and the world profited from while the artists behind it were rarely credited, rarely compensated, and rarely protected.
Project 21 was built to change that.
Born from the original 21 shades that shook the industry, Project 21 honors the rise of female hip-hop, the beauty that started in small apartments and neighborhood salons, and the creativity that turned struggle into style. It preserves the culture, protects the artists, and makes sure the people who built the foundation finally receive the recognition and the revenue they deserve.
From a kitchen table to global impact, Bernadette continues to create, innovate, and push the culture forward one shade, one artist, one generation at a time.
30 Years of Artistry, Innovation & Cultural Impact
Early Years
The Beginning
Breaking Into Celebrity
1990s - 2000s
Iconic Collaborations
2000s - 2010s
Major celebrity clients, red carpet moments, music videos, album covers, and cultural milestones. Work with A-list talent.
Hip-Hop Heritage
Project 21 Era
Bernadette’s deep connection to hip-hop culture, working with legendary artists, and how music influenced your creative vision.
Museum Collaborations
Art Meets Beauty
MoMA — “Pirouette: Turning Points in Design”
Bernadette Thompson’s work was included in MoMA’s landmark exhibition recognizing objects and creators that redefined design language. Her nail innovations were presented not as beauty, but as cultural artifacts marking a pivotal shift where nails entered the global design conversation.
Building the Brand
2010s - Present
Launching the first black owned nail line in global history, expanding from celebrity artist to brand founder, and bringing museum-grade artistry to everyone.
Today & Beyond
The Legacy Continues
Current projects, future vision, and how Bernadette continue to push boundaries in nail artistry and cultural storytelling.
A Cultural Archive
Three decades of artistry. Countless iconic moments. One vision: where culture, art, and beauty converge at your fingertips.