We spoke to Shiseido's hair and makeup artist team, who handled the hair and makeup for the Fashion Cantata from Kyoto, held at Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto on May 17th, about the key points of the show. The team was led by the company's top hair and makeup artists Yumiko Kamata, Hirofumi Kayira, and Noriko Okubo, along with hair and makeup artist Kumiko Kuroki.
Kayira was in charge of the hair for the Western-style section of "See By Chloe." In keeping with See By Chloe's theme of a British woman studying at an art school in Paris, he created a natural, down-style look. He blew the entire hair dry and smooth, then curled the ends with a C-curl iron to create a refreshing look. "It's nice to see a mismatch with the temple," he said, adhering to the See By Chloe signature, natural and unpretentious style.
Okubo, who was in charge of makeup, also pursued a "natural yet accentuated style" in keeping with the brand's theme. The model's well-defined brown eyebrows and mascara created a bright, defined look around the eyes. Her facial lines were accentuated by a pinkish-beige blush. Her lips were finished in a nude pink, evoking an overall image of curiosity and refinement.
Kamata, who served as the overall chief of Japanese-style hair and makeup, has worked on Fashion Cantata from Kyoto for the fifth time this year. He always meets with each kimono artist. After learning about the motifs of each piece from the artist, he personally creates design drawings and decides on each hairstyle. He communicates the design drawings and style details to his team members, and creates the look through close communication and trust with the staff.
The kimono, featuring a motif of the Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, was styled in a chignon, creating an image of flowing clouds. The kimono, featuring an innovative horseshoe and heart design, was accessorized with a large heart-shaped hair accessory, boldly expressing the show's theme of "LOVE." The tie-dyed kimono, created with the theme of "utmost love," was paired with Taisho-era wavy hair and a hair ornament. It expressed a strength hidden within serenity. A camellia hair accessory was used to complement the wax-resist dyed piece, featuring a camellia motif closely associated with Shiseido, creating a "classic yet modern style." The hand-painted yuzen kimono, featuring a colorful butterfly design, was paired with a pink rose hair accessory. The image of a butterfly resting on a petal was vividly expressed. The focus was also on "a total, dynamic beauty." The kimono, featuring a beautiful color scheme of light and dark blue evoking day and night, was complemented with a white enamel hair accessory, creating a charming atmosphere. While Kamata has worked extensively with traditional Japanese clothing in recent years, she also has a solid career in haute couture hair and makeup, and says she approaches kimonos with a "sense of haute couture." "I would like to use my hair and makeup techniques to help promote kimonos, which are an identity of the Japanese people, to the world," she said.
