Style 03_Koryo Oikawa
PROFILE
In 2016, he opened a beauty salon "Darling" in Yutenji with a few friends. As many musicians and artists are among his clients, he uses his high technical skills to create hairstyles that suit his guests.
Instagram: @koryooikawa, @darlin.hair
I want people to smile through the hairstyles I create.
What made you decide to become a hair stylist?
I have always had an obsession with hairstyles, even to the point of going blonde in the first year of junior high school. Also, my father encouraged me to become a hair stylist because there were no technical people in my family.
A. Why did you start your own business at the relatively young age of 27 in the beauty industry?
After graduating from a beauty school, I worked at hair salons in Daikanyama and Kamakura, and also worked as a hair and makeup assistant for about 7 years. At that time, the owner of the boutique store on the first floor of darlin. introduced me to a property on the third floor that was available, and I thought, "It's good timing, so let's do it! I gathered four friends and opened the shop.
Then, as now, I think it is like me to act without thinking about the future. I am still a child at heart. As is true of any job, if you feel like you are being forced to do something, the work becomes uninteresting. I always want to maintain an environment where I can be absorbed in the moment.
. What is important to you in your work as a hairdresser?
I don't want to overdo it. I want my clients to keep their hair in as good a condition as possible after the haircut. In order to get a good texture, the hair must be in good condition to begin with, but in today's beauty industry, many people try to force their hair to be colored in a unique way. It's fine if the conditions are right for coloring, but if the conditions are too difficult, I would never force them to do so.
Do you mean that you offer hairstyles that really suit your guests?
Yes, I do. I want to create a style that looks good on them and makes them happy, so when I have a client who is struggling with a cut design, I say clearly, "If you're not sure, maybe you shouldn't cut it." I clearly say, "If you're not sure, maybe you shouldn't cut it. . I really don't like to see the delicate faces of my guests. . I would be happier if they leave with a brighter face anyway.
Clothes that can be recommended by a well-meaning friend, and new discoveries can be made.
What is your favorite fashion style?
. Actually, I am not particular at all (laughs). I go to stores run by my seniors or friends, such as "MANHOLE" in Gaienmae or "MORES" in Nakameguro, and ask them, "Do you have anything you want to sell? and then I buy their clothes. I don't trust my own sense of taste at all, so I think it is best to buy from people I know well. Even if I am occasionally offered an item that I think I will never wear, I try to try it on without hating it. . I can't discover something new by wearing something that I would expect to wear.
What is the point of today's coordination?
Anyway, I like to dress for easy movement, and on work days, I mainly wear old clothes so that I don't have to get dirty. Today, I wore track pants to make it easier to work in the salon. To avoid looking too rough, I put on a pair of leather shoes from a brand called "MORSE. They are actually slip-on shoes, and they are very easy to wear.
Versatile design for any occasion.
Do you usually wear a watch?
I always wear vintage clothes, so I like to use a simple smartwatch because I want to keep my watch looking clean. I also need a highly visible design because I keep track of time while I'm at work, such as how long colorants and perm products need to be left on, how long it takes to get a cut, and so on. However, I really want to wear a watch that is appropriate for my age, and I feel that the Tissot PRX Automatic is the perfect watch for me.
What was your impression of the Tissot PRX Automatic?
It felt like a part of fashion, and I did not feel uncomfortable wearing it at all. . It has a sense of luxury, yet its sleek form makes it easy to use on a daily basis without feeling self-conscious about it. It is natural that it would look good on a 30-something like me, but it would also look cool on a 20-something. I think it would be fun to wear it in my twenties, too. It would be romantic to buy a watch while you are young and wear it for a long time, wouldn't it?
What other styles do you think the Tissot PRX Automatic should be worn with?
. I dress differently from other people. I think this watch suits me, and I think it will fit in with my formal style as well as my relaxed, laid-back attire. I like the versatility of this watch, which is not found in other casual watches, and can be used for any occasion.
This is an automatic model, but what do you think about mechanical watches?
Looking at the back of the see-through case, I was amazed at how detailed each part is. It is a privilege only for the owner to be able to look into this gadget-loving, precision movement at any time. I heard that the original model was created in 1978, and I think the details backed by history as well as the visual design are fascinating.
