The Kansai area where unique personalities are noticeable. As personalities shine, their quality is kept. Mr. Toyokazu Fujiki from "Be fine" drew a lot of attention with a perfect balance and received the second prize. His distinctive sense and balance come from the experience gained at numerous contests and his strong spirit for overcoming continuous challenges without sparing oneself.
Ⅰ. Efforts to area competition
--I heard that this time you participated in DA for the first time. What caused your decision to participate?
Actually, every year I participate in contests which are held by agents, but this year I didn't get beyond the award of excellence. At that time, I was strongly encouraged by the advice of a judge "to burn it to the ground this year!" and realized that I couldn't wait until next year. So I decided to find a contest which would motivate me as much and to challenge myself to it.
--So, that was DA?
Yes. I applied last minute before the application deadline. I asked the model I had for that contest right away and she agreed. That is why it was DA for which I had challenged myself after further brushing up the compilation that I had prepared for the contests in which I had been participating every year. The motivation for participation was the fact that I had been defeated in them before.
--Did you know about DA before?
Of course, I wanted to take part in it before, but I couldn't because of other contests I participated in every year. However, I could not understand the guidelines of the contest, so I started from watching all the videos related to DA. I've seen all of the previous winning works and got the feeling of the trends.
--What is your understanding of the concept of "REALITIVE"?
I think that REALITIVE is a style of salon works which is in the range of what can be offered to customers. It is a style that incorporates some elements of creative design. For example, if you look at high-brand clothes which are presented in collections in Paris and Milan, that would be CREATIVE, while the clothes sold on the market are REALITIVE.
--As your participation was announced last minute, how did you make the decision on your support staff?
Before contacting the model, I asked the assistant Ms. Takahashi if she could take care of the supporting role. I thought that she would be able to learn a lot by giving me support as she had been actively engaged in contests herself. Ms.Takahashi had an aversion to makeup, so I told her to "work with the enthusiasm as myself" and that I would not be able to ask her for support if she could not handle it.
--What was Ms.Takahashi's reply?
She said that she "definitely wanted me to let her do it". She puts emphasis on sharing the enthusiasm when challenging herself at contests. Of course, I think that the model also receives my enthusiasm the contest challenge. It will soon be three years since I started working with my model and we have been through various contests together. So she is someone I can really rely on.
II. About your works
--Please tell us about the themes and images of each work in the order of panels from A to C.
The themes were "The Urban Woman" for A and "The Back Street Woman" for B. I feel attraction to the word "woman". It is like after a wind had blown by, like running through gaps between high-rise buildings. I was cherishing the sense of incompleteness like that of one's rough hair.
--What about the B panel?
For B, I was able to create a link of "sharp coolness" with A and wanted to make it the contrast work. I thought what was the opposite of "urban" and wanted to create an atmosphere of the "underground" and of something which is "not bathing in the light". I wanted to put in a little bit of the "delinquency" element, so made her wear a leather jacket, and the make-up had a bear-like, languid feel with the lips having a poisonous finish.
--How did you approach the C panel?
Panel C has the theme of red and black. I wanted to produce a sophisticated female image, and though you can't see it in pictures, I had particular preference for clothes. A long velvet dress with pearl buttons. On the waist there was another layer of skirt.
--What kind of an image was it?
I made it while imagining a long skirt which is the trademark of the uniform of "sukeban" (delinquent girl, boss girl). I had originally decided that the hairstyle would be the Wolf style. However, it was a Wolf style haircut which makes full use of the bob line. The hair, clothes and makeup - everything matched perfectly.
--In those styles, what was the part through which you felt your "individuality"?
When you ask about individuality, it is difficult for me to say what it is, but I like the styles where there is an accent on something. I like styles which have sharpness in haircuts and colors.
III. After becoming your area representative
--Was did you feel when you finished creating the hair style at the venue?
Rather than thinking "this will do it" I thought "I can compete with this". It is the same for other contests, in which even if there are hundreds or thousands of participants, I think that only the top 10 or 20 people are those who "are competing". So, I thought that I was among them. Even though the preparation period was short, I was able to have a lot of fulfilling time.
--What did you feel when your name was called for the second prize?
Of course, I wanted to be selected for the Grand Prix. But the manager told me "the second place is also fine because there are also the finals." It does not mean that one can quit working hard with the first place, and the emotion with which you say "damn it!" becomes your driver. Also, since the contestants were quite distinguished members, it was encouraging to have received an award there.
--The finals are in July, but what will your efforts be directed at from now on?
I will compete in another contest again next Monday. I'm thinking of participating in different contests including the photo ones as much as I can before DA.
--In other contests?
It is important to be preparing for DA, but I think that it would be good if my skills and senses get updated regularly by continuing to challenge myself for participation in contests. No compromises, no hesitation, just going all the way. I want to be able to go for it and demonstrate my skills just when I start thinking that I might not want to participate anymore.
--Please let us know what your motivation for the finals is.
Since I am participating in this, I would really like to get the "Of the Year" award. I do not want to lose to anyone in regards of the volume of lessons and the efforts for the contest. This might be unsophisticated, but it's my challenge to be able to handle the numbers.
IV. After having tried participating in DA
--Have there been any changes since you tried joining DA?
There may have been not much change, except that I was able to buy a camera for shooting using the prize money I received as the "education support". I would rather use it as a tool to upgrade myself than for contest outfits. At first, I was thinking of trying to take pictures of works until DA starts, but I got appointed as the contest advisor for a junior colleague. Through being involved in it, the feeling of wanting to participate in the contest had become strong (laughs).
--Finally, you got to participate in it yourself, right? (laughs)
Yes. I thought that that way I could show my back to the assistant.
--How has it been in relation to your salon work?
It has not changed much from before, but I'm in charge of such haircuts now as I would like to be creating the best hair styles and I got to do it at the salon since "I got put in charge of the contest" and "now I can come up with my suggestions".
--Finally, please tell me what the merits of contests for you, Mr. Fujiki are.
I think that one should not have to be forced participate in contests. In my case, I joined a salon which focused on contests, and I've only been challenging myself for contests because it gradually became fun as I continued doing it.You know, our work will get old as the development of our skills stops. I only participate in contests because I can update myself through doing so. It is important to continue doing that. Keeping going to seminars, keeping taking photos - anything works. I think that it is important to continue and never stop.
--I look forward to seeing your compilations, which have been refined through numerous contests, Mr. Fujiki. Thank you very much.
Interview List
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Keeping up the hard work as the area representative and doing for all members!
arte HAIR
小林 圭介
（KOBAYASHI, Keisuke）
NAGOYA Area
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The refined sense of style and skills from having been through many contests
Be fine
藤木 豊和
（FUJIKI, Toyokazu）
OSAKA Area
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The fourth year attempt with due to the unrelenting “passion”.
bianca
岩渕 愛実
（IWABUCHI, Aimi）
TOKYO Area
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A fresh breeze brought by a rookie who joined the company last year
bianca
MAI
TOKYO Area
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I want to surpass myself in the area competition of the Grand Prix Final.
CERES HAIR STUDIO
JUUN LAI
MALAYSIA Area
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The passion of my challenge in lock step with my wife towards the DA.
Commune
関口 和行
(SEKIGUCHI, Kazuyuki)
TOKYO Area
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A unique, original style prepared by backward counting.
Daisy
矢冨 カレン
(YATOMI, Karen)
FUKUOKA Area
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Always evolve along with the number of encounters.
favorite garden
宮内 走
(MIYAUCHI, Kakeru)
HIROSHIMA Area
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Not affected by trends, find "my likeness".
Fer,
倉 大祐
(KURA, Daisuke)
KANAZAWA Area
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Possibilities in the idea of “REALITIVE”.
GODHANDS
元德林
(BENSON)
CHINA Area
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Consistently be a part of the "Salon Work".
haRu hair studio
渡辺 ユータ
(WATANABE, Yuta)
SAPPORO Area
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Keep on challenging, keep on learning.
Little Secret
王怡文
(WANG, I-WEN)
TAIWAN(CHINA) Area
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Aim for the first Korean victory.
MARUNI HAIR
LEE
KOREA Area
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Came to know the nation standard so especially want to be the top this year!
Nico
佐々木 由香
(SASAKI, Yuka)
SENDAI Area
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Her rival is the owner, Yoshida, who participated last time.
Oto
森山 保奈美
(MORIYAMA, Honami)
OSAKA Area
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DA is an extension of Salon work.
R’oti
河野 哲也
(KONO, Tetsuya)
NAGOYA Area
