New Wave Masculinity: FACULTY Nail Polish Takes the Spotlight

The Fashionisto

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Published June 9, 2022

Carson Hiner FACULTY Campaign Black Nail PolishPin
Carson Hiner wears FACULTY’s Fader black nail polish for the brand’s newest campaign.

With its new campaign, FACULTY introduces “New Wave Masculinity.” The beauty brand embraces a world of self-expression and creativity, breaking long-held notions about masculinity. Men’s nail polish in must-have colors, including black, white, and red, is part of FACULTY’s inaugural offering. Tonje Thilesen, a Brooklyn-based photographer, shot FACULTY’s campaign, which showcases five brilliant personalities.

Yves Mathieu FACULTY Campaign Yellow Nail PolishPin
Yves Mathieu rocks 303 FACULTY yellow nail polish for the brand’s new campaign.

FACULTY ‘New Wave Masculinity’ Campaign

“I think I see masculinity as a tool of expression, and less as an identifying factor,” explains Tonje Thilesen. “As someone who identifies as non-binary, I like to mix up masculinity & femininity a lot, or co-exist between the two. It manifests in a lot of different ways.”

Dominic Forletta FACULTY Campaign White Nail Polish 2022Pin
Dominic Forletta sports FACULTY Stratus white nail polish in a new campaign for the brand.

Thilesen goes on, “For me, masculinity has always been really fun and free, but also a word that I relate to caretaking, security, and vulnerability. I think some folks can have negative associations with masculinity for various societal or environmental reasons, so I think it is important to remind ourselves that it is – at the end of the day – whatever you want it to be, regardless of gender.”

Isaiah Model FACULTY Campaign Nail Polish MenPin
Isaiah wears FACULTY’s Lambert and Fader nail polishes for its new campaign.

Model Isaiah discusses FACULTY’s idea of “New Wave Masculinity.” He describes it as “an act of defiance.” Isaiah explains, “Gender roles are thrust upon us from birth, and we’re expected to exist within tradition at the expense of our truest expression in fashion, music, art, social interaction, and all matters of self-expression.” 

Vince Fay FACULTY Campaign Red Nail PolishPin
Vince Fay wears FACULTY’s Terra Firma red nail polish for the brand’s new campaign.

Isaiah adds, “We have to morph ourselves to fit into pre-made packaging. Now we’re able to push back and ask, ‘why’? We can interrogate these longstanding gender roles by blurring the lines, and completely reset our thinking around what it means to be masculine or feminine – because we can’t talk about masculinity without talking about femininity.”


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