Judges From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
10 Nailympia Judge
David Fowler
United States
Competition Organiser| Consultant| Developer of Industry Standards| Product Research & Development| Session Stylist
Area of judging expertise: Structure
Years as a judge: 17
Number of Nailympia events judged: 10
Nailympia events judged: London, Germany, Orlando, Mexico, Online
Are you an educator?: Yes
Industry accolades: I have had the privilege of training numerous top-ranked, award-winning competitors & creating global brands for nail professionals around the world. My expertise also extends to marketing success through impactful imagery, including photography & videography.
Favourite nail brands: Every nail brand brings something unique to the table, offering options to suit every nail professional's needs. While I have my favorites - especially the brands I've developed or contributed to - what matters most is that there’s truly something for everyone in the world of global nail brands.
Industry figures you admire: Stefanie Lo Re, Karin Ström, Tom Holcomb, Alisha Rimando, Alex Fox & most importantly my students who have found success as competitors & salon professionals from around the world.
Career biography: I have had the privilege of participating in high-profile events such as the Grammys, Oscars & Sundance Film Festival, where I also began providing nail services for celebrities in Los Angeles. Additionally, I collaborated with various consumer press magazines to create imagery & worked on projects for entertainment television.
My consulting work spans numerous professional brands that have achieved success in the competitive global market. I’ve worked closely with chemists & chemical engineers to develop specialised formulas across all nail enhancement systems, including monomer & polymer (acrylic), UV/LED gel & UV/LED gel polish. I’ve also explored cutting-edge nail polish production technologies designed for the consumer market.
Beyond product development, I have consulted on marketing campaigns, helping to build brand awareness & drive success. I am skilled in collaborating with renowned photographers to produce impactful imagery & videos for promotional efforts.
Personal biography: After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a focus on human rights, I began my career in law enforcement. I spent two & a half years as a patrol officer before transitioning to investigative work. As a detective, I gained experience in several divisions, including narcotics, homicide/suicide, domestic violence & sex crimes.
Eventually, I made a bold shift into the beauty industry, focusing on nail enhancements - a career path that has kept me both busy & inspired.
When I’m not working, I enjoy exploring the great outdoors, canyoneering & spending time in Zion National Park, where I’m fortunate to call home.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I believe nail competitions bring out the best in nail professionals. They provide a unique opportunity for competitors to recognise their strengths & identify areas for improvement.
What I value most about these events is how they unite nail professionals from around the world. Competitions create a space where individuals can share techniques, exchange ideas & connect over a shared passion for nails - a passion that’s essential for participating at this level.
These events foster friendships & collaboration, driving continuous growth & elevating the quality of the nail industry as a whole.
Advice to competitors: My biggest piece of advice is to 'have fun' - without it, you risk setting yourself up for disappointment. Set goals that go beyond "just winning" & focus on achieving those milestones.
Everyone has good days & bad days, so creating goals unrelated to placement can sometimes lead to podium success. Personally, I’ve struggled with nerves, which is why I always encourage competitors to focus on enjoying the process & striving towards their personal goals.
At the end of the day, we’re all in it together, doing the same thing. Sharing good times & positive energy often leads to the best results.
Nail work
