MY GENERATION has a habit of thinking we aren’t good enough. Always too quick to doubt ourselves. Working with the Japanese taught me to break down those mental barriers.
THE MIND IS A POWERFUL TOOL and we must learn to use it positively. I've learned not to hold myself back from limiting mindsets.
TIMES ARE DIFFERENT NOW. The younger generation is full of individuality. I see them expressing their personalities more and it’s refreshing.
SOCIAL MEDIA has amplified that change. Back then, it was all about human connections, relationships built over time—something I still value today. Whereas sometimes social media paints a very one-dimensional part of the hairstylist or even the business. I guess I am just old school in that way.
I AM NOT A FAN of that sort of branding. We focus on connecting with people, fostering interpersonal interactions, and building relationships.
A TESTAMENT of what we have been doing from the beginning when clients from day one keep returning.
IT’S MEANINGFUL to see clients grow up. Some have been with me since day one and watching them transition from school kids to adults bringing in their own children is truly personal. That’s the best part.
IT ALL STARTED when I was thinking about where I could get my hair cut after relocating to Singapore. Coincidentally, I learned the director of the Japanese parent company was planning to open a salon here.
THINGS JUST FELL INTO PLACE. My stylist knew I was interested, so we had a meeting and that’s how I got into the business.
SWITCHING FROM engineering to hairstyling wasn’t as hard as it seems. I always had an eye for fashion, design and creativity. Hairdressing, to me, is an extension of that.
WHEN you have that interest it’s not difficult to jump over to something you’re passionate about.
I AM FORTUNATE to work with this husband-and-wife duo, both President Design Award winners and founders of Studio Juju. They specialise in furniture and interior design. We’re collaborating to expand their interior design arm.
NOT BOXING MYSELF UP, I aim to present and deliver something slightly different from what you typically see in Singapore’s interior design scene.
I’M NOT AFTER GRAND PLANS. I just want to keep doing what I love and have fun along the way.
BEING SINGAPOREAN in a Japanese trade has its own challenges culturally. Respect isn’t instant. I didn’t know a thing about hair when I started, so it was tough earning my place.
I’M KNOWN to be a quick-tempered person. But over time, I’ve mellowed. This job has taught me patience—something I didn’t always have.
I BELIEVE mistakes are our greatest teachers.
I WOULDN’T CHANGE a thing about my life. Every mistake is a valuable lesson, shaping who we are, just as much as the successes.
IN THE END, I don’t want much. I just want people to think of our salon as a place where they feel good, where they leave with more than just a haircut.
ENSURING our salons are more than just functional—they have a soul. That’s key to me. It’s not just about the haircut; it’s about creating an experience.
BODY LANGUAGE is crucial in this industry. Making clients feel comfortable is key. You don’t need to understand Japanese, but by their tone or the way they speak, you can sense how they’re feeling.
THE JAPANESE have an incredible work ethic, which fascinates me about Japan and its people. It’s great to have more people from Japan joining us; it feels like a cultural exchange.
IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to find a hairstylist. Most people don’t grow up aspiring to be hairstylists; it’s often seen as a fallback option.
THAT’S NOT THE CASE in Japan, where many hairstylists are degree holders. I’ve come to appreciate the value of skill-based jobs, especially as knowledge-based roles may be replaced by AI. I hope more people start recognising the value of these professions.
THE LONGER you stay in this industry, the better you get. The prospects as a hairstylist are limitless.
WE EMPOWER our stylists to explore creative outlets beyond hair. Some have done art-related work or aspire to open their own salons abroad. It’s all about growing artistically and taking breaks to refresh the mind.
THERE’S NO LIMIT. We’re a hair salon at heart, but we explore beyond that. We’ve done pop-ups where our stylists have brought in Japanese brands, engaging with their creativity in new ways.
Photography: Jaya Khidir
Photography Assistant: Tawfiq Ismail
