NAILS~TOOTH GEMS~MODELING~HANDMADE ART~EDUCATION~SUSPENSION
the doll behind the claws
LEILANI
THEY/THEM
If you had told me in 2020 that this is where I’d be now, I wouldn’t have believed you.
Back then, I was in college chasing something that didn’t feel quite right — sick, burnt out, and constantly trying to force myself into a version of success that didn’t fit. Like a lot of us, the pandemic cracked things wide open. My body couldn’t keep up with traditional expectations anymore, and neither could my heart. So I let go. I dropped out. I started over.
What came next wasn’t clean or linear. It was messy, chaotic, and deeply personal. I leaned into what I could do — working with my hands, creating beauty, and connecting with people on my terms.
Dolls x Claws started as a side hustle and slowly grew into something so much bigger: a handmade, multi-disciplinary brand built from my bedroom floor up. Nails, tooth gems, modeling, education — every part of this business reflects a piece of me and how I got here.
The Real
I live with a heart condition, chronic illness, and mental health challenges that impact every part of my life — but they’ve also taught me resilience, boundaries, and how to build a career that fits me. Being a disabled business owner isn’t easy. But it gave me freedom I didn’t think I could have. This brand is proof that I didn’t give up on myself, even when the world didn’t make room. I now own The Red Brick Collective, a salon and art co-op in my home base Columbus, OH. I also get to offer tooth gems and handmade art at tattoo + art festivals across the united states, which I am constantly blown away by and very grateful for.
and now...
Now, I’m 25, still figuring things out, but fully in my lane. I spend my time doing what I love: building art with my hands, modeling and educating, while cultivating a space for other creatives to learn and grow. I push myself to my limits every single day, out of a pure motivation to reach heights I never thought possible.
On the rare occasion i'm not working, my cat keeps me company, my playlists stay moody, and my matcha’s always iced.
Dolls x Claws is more than a studio — it’s my story in motion.
Whether you’re here for the spicy content, salon services, or just the vibes — I’m glad you found your way to my world. I hope something in my story, my work, or the way I show up speaks to you.
TOOTHGEMS: @tattedtooth.fairy
MODELING: @ivypastelxx
SALON + ART: @dolls.x.claws