We caught up with Jamaican/Londoner, WAH Nails founder Sharmadean Reid, who was briefly in town for New York Fashion Week and All-Star Weekend at Nike’s Inside Access Studio, where she was the only female on a panel featuring top athletes and designers.

The Central Saint Martins alum (think: Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Zac Posen) set up her first WAH Nails salon in 2009 and quickly sparked huge trends for nail art with panache. Now with a WAH Nails HQ in Topshop, the multi-tasking 30-year-old mum of one also recently launched a new range of polishes at Boots, the England- and Ireland-based health and beauty chain that forecasts £1 million in sales for the first six months.

With polishes aptly named “Gyal Dem” and “Wifey for Lifey”, she never strays too far from her Jamaican roots, and with a strong social media presence, welcoming spirit, creativity and drive she is an inspiration to so many.

Who is Sharmadean Reid in five words?

Curious, hyperactive, questioning, obsessive, generous.

What’s your cocktail of choice?

I love Soho House’s Great Eastern. I love cocktails that are a mix of sweet and sour. And I love elderflower… so if there’s a cocktail on the menu with elderflower I usually will opt for that. (laughs) But failing that if it’s a generic place… I’ll have a Cosmopolitan.

What perfume are you currently spraying?

Le Labo. It’s originally from New York but you can buy it in Liberty of London and it’s called Cuir 28.

What music are you currently listening to on your iPhone?

I just got Spotify so I’m a bit obsessed with it, and am making playlists all the time of hip hop and R&B. I love early Missy Elliott and Drake. And I listen to a station in London called Know-wave.com

Flats or stilettos?

I’m a Gemini so I can swing either way. I love wearing sneakers but I also love wearing heels and have a really good collection of black strappy heels. I usually wear Alexander Wang heels because they are not too high; they’re comfortable but look good.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

Someone who is so comfortable in their own skin and secure that there is no need to project any BS onto me.

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

Something I’ve never done before. I think a guy has to work hard to surprise me and keep me interested. I get bored very easily. I would want someone to take me to a place in my city that I didn’t know existed. Like a secret spot.

What inspires you?

Seeing what young kids on the street are wearing, particularly when they don’t have money, but they try to do the best with what they’ve got… Colour, nature. I’m a city girl and a country girl. I’m inspired by everything around me. Seeing everything to stay creative.

Fave Jamaican food?

Jerked chicken. It’s the type of thing you can get everywhere but it’s never the same as straight off the fire in Jamaica.

What do you miss when away from Jamaica?

Just a feeling of spiritual ease.

What kind of mom are you?

Very liberal, but guiding. I think children need parameters of discipline but a level of freedom within those parameters. So I’m definitely hands-on but not controlling.

Jeans or LBD?

Jeans.

Fave designer?

Proenza Schouler, Kenzo, Alexander Wang; I like designers who do city things but are also global.

Latest obsession?

Colour in digital art. What it means to see colours on the screen versus seeing colours in real life.

Ideal relaxation spot?

Jamaica… Portland… Trident.

When not working where can you be found?

At home in bed. I love being at home all day watching TV with my son.

What’s your best character trait?

I’m energetic.

What can we expect next from WAH?

I really want to open up a new salon. Working on new products. More for Christmas. There are a lot of things happening… but mainly I want to open up a new salon.