Hairdressing is just a matter of doing something I really enjoy. It wasn't so much inspiration that made me become a hairdresser, but I've found a place in hairdressing where work is no longer work, where work is enjoyment.

I started my career in hairdressing in London and worked there for many years. I have been in the industry for 17 years, and I am also a session hair stylist, doing session work and editorial shoots for a range of artists and styles.​​

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I moved to the United States at the age of 13-14 and spent my teenage years and early twenties. I graduated from an international middle/high school and a college in Seattle. Following my graduation, I moved to London from Seattle.

I was trained at Vidal Sasson London, and my career in hairdressing started at a small English hair salon in London. But rather than just working in a hairdressing salon, I worked as an assistant to the international editorial hair stylist Peter Gray, who was my mentor. For years of helping Peter Gray, I worked for him on over 100 collections (Fashion Week in Paris, Milan, London, and New York), advertising campaigns, videos, hair shows, seminars, and a massive number of fashion editorial shoots including Vogue, Numero, V Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, POP Magazine, Another Magazine, ID, Dazed and Confused Magazine and many more.

After living in London for many years and abroad for a total of over 22 years, I moved to Tokyo. I was awarded 2nd place for Shu Uemura Art of Hair—Gallery of Style Japan 2018. 

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Having a long history of living abroad, my experiences in these different cultures have allowed me to form relationships with people of all backgrounds and develop an intimate understanding of diversity. 

As a bicultural/third-cultural person, I just got used to finding my own identity and being a bit of a foreigner wherever I am. I think a lot of bicultural people have that feeling, but what makes you different is what makes you unique, and I feel comfortable being an outsider.

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Apart from doing hair, I love being in and around nature and water and seeing different types of visual arts, but sometimes even just looking at them is so relaxing, and I love making images. I also have fun listening to music and watching movies, and I love travelling. 

I am also in support of environmental sustainability. I think we all have a responsibility to our earth and should embrace one another's uniqueness. These are also core beliefs of FÈATH.​

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I keep remembering being true to what I really want and feel. I don't suppose I've known and will know everything, but that is what keeps me alive creatively, invigorating and interested. My concern is to keep growing while staying down-to-earth and humble, and true to myself.

 

​​​​@kaykayshimiz_