MoNA x Grind Pretty Launch Nail'd It: The Evolution of an IT Girl
- Tammy Reese
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
By Tammy Reese
The Museum of Nail Art (MoNA) made its official debut on August 14, with a dazzling VIP launch in SoHo at Luc Belaire’s NYC headquarters that cemented nail art and Black culture as both high fashion and heritage. Teaming up with Grind Pretty, the powerhouse lifestyle brand and media platform, the event unveiled Grind Pretty’s 30th issue — and its first-ever cover series — Nail’d It: The Evolution of an IT Girl.
This landmark collaboration between Courtney Grace Richardson, MoNA’s visionary Founder and Nailblazer-in-Chief, and Mimi Johnson, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Grind Pretty, brought together artistry, sisterhood, and Y2K nostalgia to celebrate nail culture’s rightful place in history. More than a beauty moment, the launch positioned MoNA as an artistic renaissance against traditional beauty standards — a platform dedicated to Radical Black Beauty and the cultural forces that fuel it.
At the center of the evening was a stunning five-cover reveal shot by renowned photographer Danita Bethea, who reimagined iconic 90s/00s David LaChapelle portraits of IT Girls including Lil Kim, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, and the late Aaliyah. Each cover star embodied a new chapter in IT Girl energy, with each cover spotlighting today’s modern day trendsetters:
Viral rap artist and songwriter Maiya The Don as “Mariah Carey”
Fashion and lifestyle influencer Rue as “Missy Elliott”
Entrepreneur, reality TV actress and media personality Monyetta Shaw-Carter as “Aaliyah”
Daughter of legendary stylist Misa Hylton, rising hip hop star Madison Star as “Lil Kim”
Award-winning creative director and MoNA’s own founder Courtney Grace as “Mary J. Blige”
The homage was especially poignant this year, as 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Lil Kim’s infamous VIBE summer 2000 issue styled by Misa Hylton. One of the most talked-about covers of the night revisited LaChapelle’s unforgettable water shot of Lil Kim — this time styled by Aisya Washington and starring Misa’s daughter, Madison Star, carrying forward her mother’s legacy while honoring one of Hip Hop’s most influential icons.
Alongside the cover series reveal, guests explored a curated MoNA exhibit that paid tribute to the IT Girls of the 90s and 2000s through installations like NAILTORIOUS K.I.M., ALWAYS BE MY MANI, NAIL’D MY WORLD, GET YOUR NAILS DID, and WE NAIL’D A RESOLUTION. Each set was curated and creative directed by MonA’s founder Courtney Grace with nail artist Crystal Ebanks who designed each set by hand. Guests were also treated to a special live performance by Madison Star, who fittingly performed her hit “For The Girls,” a track that samples another 90s/00s IT Girl — rapper, author, and actress Eve.
Other beauty experiences, celebrity appearances, and a set by world-famous DJ Soni kept the energy high, while themed cocktails from premium sponsor Luc Belaire provided the perfect toast to the night’s celebration.
“This launch proves that nail art created by Black women is not just an accessory; our nail art are artifacts of our culture and history,” said Courtney Grace Richardson, Founder of MoNA. “At the MoNA, we exist to archive and amplify Radical Black Beauty, to challenge traditional standards and show that what begins in the salon can live on museum walls. Partnering with Mimi and Grind Pretty to bring these stories forward was about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping the future of what it means to finally give flowers to Black women for being the blueprint of beauty, culture, and creative expression — the original IT Girls whose influence continues to shape the world.”
Mimi Johnson added: “For Grind Pretty, reaching our 30th issue is historic. To mark it with our first cover series alongside MoNA is about breaking tradition, spotlighting IT Girls across generations, and celebrating the women who redefine what it means to grind pretty.”
The NYC launch is only the beginning. MoNA will expand its footprint later this year, with next stops planned for the West Coast and the South, bringing its mission of Radical Black Beauty and cultural preservation nationwide.
About Courtney Grace Richardson & MoNA
Courtney Grace Richardson is a highly sought-after, award-winning Creative Director, beauty futurist, and Founder of the Museum of Nail Art (MoNA), the first museum dedicated to Radical Black Beauty and the cultural legacy of nail art. More than beauty, MoNA is an artistic renaissance against traditional standards — a living archive of Black creativity and a celebration of the pioneers who shape culture into a global force. Currently on tour and opening its physical doors soon, MoNA flexes at the intersection of nail art and pop culture. With countless accolades and industry honors like “Creative of The Year” and “Culture Shifter,” Courtney’s proudest accomplishment? How MoNA is rewriting the blueprint from salon chairs to museum walls. Tap in at themona.com
About Mimi Johnson & Grind Pretty
Mimi Johnson is a beauty entrepreneur, celebrity makeup artist, and the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Grind Pretty, a digital magazine, membership community, and national event series created to inspire and empower women in beauty, fashion, and business. Since its launch in 2020, Grind Pretty has grown into a go-to destination for women entrepreneurs, offering editorial content, product collaborations, and subscription boxes that spotlight female-owned brands. With its 30th issue now marking a historic first cover series in partnership with MoNA, Grind Pretty continues to break boundaries and redefine what it means to “grind pretty.” Learn more at grindpretty.com
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