Mogi-san: Hair styling as art
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
My trip to Japan this year was filled with interesting places and people. None more so than Mogi-san. Masayuki Mogi was the first Japanese creative director for Vidal Sassoon, and in the 70’s was considered one of the world’s finest hair stylists with a client list that took him all over the globe. He returned to Japan to start his own business and his chain of salons grace some of the more exclusive parts of Tokyo. In particular he developed a signature style emphasising the natural, organic qualities of a person’s hair and he considers his work to be more on a level with sculpture and painting.
In fact his interest in all aspects of the Arts seems to permeate his whole business and social relationships, and his magazine, +ing (plusing), is full of enticing imagery and interesting comment. He extends this credo to his staff too who are encouraged to write for the magazine and participate in a series of clients’ clubs devoted to food, theatre, music and the arts.
Mogi-san is also passionate about the production of better quality food and along with his wife Yoko-san, an equally accomplished make-up artist, and some of his staff I was treated to a sumptuous meal at his art gallery, The Attic; a unique three tiered space built from welded sheet steel.
