If you’ve ever hesitated before opening a can for fear of ruining your freshly done nails, Brixton Brewery has your back (and your manicure). Meet the Canicure – a limited-edition, meticulously handcrafted nail accessory that combines beer, beauty, and Brixton charm.
Dreamed up in collaboration with nail artist Megan Thomas, aka Brixton Klaws, whose clients include FKA Twigs and PinkPantheress, the Canicure is more than just a clever hack. It’s a wearable sculpture, a fashion statement, and a love letter to South London’s creativity and culture. Inspired by the bold spirit and iconic visuals of Brixton itself, Megan says: “There’s an undeniable energy in Brixton; bold, dynamic, and full of character. I wanted to capture that electricity in every element of the canicure.”
Even the Canicure’s production reflects local values – from sustainability to community. “I worked with local London-based artists to ensure everything, from printing to fulfillment, was as responsible and thoughtful as possible,” explains Megan. “Brixton has always been a melting pot of culture and creativity,” adds Dave Hort, Head of Marketing at Brixton Brewery. “The Canicure is a playful yet practical innovation that brings together two South London icons: standout nails and great beer. It’s our way of celebrating the local electricity and proving that anyone can enjoy both without compromise.”
BRICKS Magazine caught up with Megan to talk about how the Canicure came to life, and why this unexpected beer-and-beauty fusion might just be your new favourite summer accessory.
When did you first uncover your interest in nail design?
I’ve always been fascinated by long nails – starting with the Guinness World Records’ longest nails when I was a kid. My own nail art journey began with Hello Kitty decals, and when I realised nails are essentially tiny canvases, it all just clicked. I’ve always been a miniatures artist, so working on such a small scale feels very natural to me. As I started exploring nail products more deeply, my style evolved into a distinct, organic, sculptural form; though I still love creating miniature worlds to escape into.
Who or what inspires your creativity?
I’m constantly inspired by so many things, but the natural world is a huge one for me. Nothing fills me with ideas more than spending time surrounded by nature – from plants to insects, their colour palettes, structures, and patterns are a constant reference. Some of the artists who inspire me include Niki de Saint Phalle for her joyful use of colour and form, and Slinkachu for his irony-rich, playful miniatures. I’m also deeply influenced by visionaries in the nail art world like Tomoya Nakagawa, Texto Dallas, Sylvie Macmillan, and Nathan Taylor – artists who, like me, push the boundaries of traditional nail shapes.
Do you have a favourite nail set or design you’ve made in the past, or one you feel most proud of?
Honestly, it’s so hard to choose, but some definite highlights are: the original ‘Twisted Demon Klaws’ for Zand, which have now become a staple shape and have been reborn in many different iterations. Then there’s the ‘Pink Estrid Embody Confidence Junk Nails’ – an ode to all the nail girlies who first ignited my love of nails. And of course, my ‘Pancake Day Table Nail’ – working on such a tiny scale brings me so much pleasure, and Pancake Day holds a special place in my heart. It was so fun to create something that felt like a real dinner table, filled with delicious energy.
Do you have any nail-cracking horror stories you can share?
Funnily enough, I had a nail break moment recently – whilst getting ready for a holiday, I dropped my suitcase on my hand and completely snapped the tip of my acrylic right off! I had about an hour before I needed to leave for the airport, and you can bet I didn’t spend that time packing my last bits or checking if I had my passport. I went straight for the acrylic to fix myself up and get holiday-ready. Honestly, I think the main reason I really perfected my acrylic skills was for emergencies exactly like that.
When you first connected with Brixton Brewery, how did you approach developing the Canicure design?
This brief definitely required a different approach, because I was creating something with a very specific function. My first step was figuring out exactly which part of opening a can causes the most issues – and I realised it’s that moment when you have to get your finger under the tab and crack it open. That’s the real danger zone for the manicured among us. Once I identified that, I focused on using leverage to create a solution, something strong and pointy that could slide under the can’s tab in place of your fingertip or nail. From there, the decision to use a bolt felt totally natural – what’s pointier than the tip of Brixton Brewery’s iconic lightning bolt?
The Canicure is for everyone – from the XXL nail baddies to the blokes who just want to level up their can-cracking game.
Can you share more about the 3D printed element – had you worked with 3D printing before, and did you face any challenges or learn any new skills through this process?
Choosing to 3D print the element felt like the right move, as I’ve been really keen to explore more within the world of manufacturing. Whilst I’d used a 3D pen before, I didn’t have much experience with machine-based 3D printing, especially not for large batch production. That’s why I decided to collaborate with Lexi from Studio FCLX, a super talented designer, 3D artist, and printing genius.
Together, we mocked up virtual designs and developed several prototypes. I also made the choice to use the same filament we printed with as the bonding material for attaching the ring base, mainly because gluing PETG requires toxic, epoxy-based adhesives, which I wanted to avoid. This meant going through a trial-and-error process to create the perfect channel in the base that would securely connect it to the 3D print. I loved the challenge of expanding my skill set, and I ended up applying a lot of what I learned to the creation of the editorial nail sculptures too, which were made using my 3D pen.
Who do you hope will enjoy the Canicure?
The Canicure is for everyone – from the XXL nail baddies to the blokes who just want to level up their can-cracking game. It’s designed to deck out your digit, so while it serves a purpose, this icy little bolt doubles as a seriously cool accessory.
For a chance to win the limited-edition Canicure visit www.brixtonbrewery.com/pages/campaigns from 1st July 2025. Winners will be selected at random in August.
IMAGES: Holly Mccandless Desmond, courtesy of Brixton Brewery