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DA INSPIRE LIVE Finalist Interview

Came to know the nation standard so especially want to be the top this year!。

仙台エリア・グランプリ：

Nico

佐々木由香

(SASAKI, Yuka)

/ STYLIST / 1993.3.25 Born

SENDAI Area

Ms. Yuka Sasaki from Nico, who won the champion unexpectedly in Sendai area in her first participation. Under the great pressure that the champion last year was a defending battle for her, she still beautifully made it. It's all because she experienced a "complete failure" previously as the representative of Sendai area. As a revenge, Ms. Sasaki has chosen to stand on the stage once again in July. This time, she is going to share with us her true, real feelings about the final competition.

Ⅰ．I A review of the final round of the previous champion

--Last time, you were one of the finalists so this is your second participation. The area competition is commonly said to be a pre-competition, what's in your mind when you chosen to participate indeed?

I thought that's a revenge, I really wanted to win this competition.

--It's great that you made it come true. So, was it the same in the year before last year that you wanted to win?

Nope, that was my first time so I just wanted to try as a challenge to myself.

--That's to say, actually you were failed in the final round in your first time. Was it upsetting to you?

That's for sure. Besides, maybe the stage of the final competition was really special that I especially wanted to come back, the feeling was so strong.

--What do you mean by really special?

All the judges were famous, it was especially nervous when you are judged by celebrities. I think that would be really great if I could win under that circumstance.

--In the year before last year, were you able to have a look on others' work after finishing your own?

I screened through them all from far away though. The quality was really high and the models were all gorgeous. The costume was trendy and photos were nice. To be honest, that made me think that Sendai is really special. I felt like I was in a great place, and I wonder who could win, that's weird since I was thinking as I was an outsider. [Laughter]

--So, how was the process?

I couldn't even imagine I could win. While after I finished, I found it the best among all previous practices. I thought the perming was really cute, and I attained a sense of achievement.

Ⅱ．Looking back at the area competition

--So, in the first time, you thought "I'll just give it a try", and the last time, you were heading straight to win the competition. Were there any changes in your preparation or something else?

Regarding the model, the one last time was like the perfect one for me so I spent a lot of time to think how to get a better model this time. That was a hard time for me indeed. I tried inviting someone randomly on the street, and search for cute girls in Instagram. I sent DM to them and asked them to come to my salon, was doing the same thing, over and over.

--So you had interviews with them when they came to your salon?

I first tried doing their hair and saw if we could work out something that matched them. Then, I had them come for the second time and I did their hair again for a photo shoot.

--How did you deal with the pressure after you won last time?

I want to win over myself, and I know I have to create something better than last time, plus there were expectation from the surrounding so yes, I was pretty much pressurized.

--How did you overcome that?

I am not sure I can say I overcame it but when worked to set the hair for the model, I realized that all I have to do is to make the model look nice, that's it, very simple. So, I kind of convinced myself that way.

--Do you remember how did you feel when you won the area competition?

I was really happy for that. Last last year, I was more shocked than happy but this time, since I aimed at that right from the beginning, I couldn't help to cry when my name was called.

--Do you remember what did you say on the stage after that?

I don't remember, I was crying so bad that I didn't know what I was saying. I was like listening to some clumsy talk from others and I wanted to say to them, I don't know what you are saying.

Ⅲ．What the competition brought to the salon

--The theme of DA is "Realitive", how do you interpret this?

That's pretty much tricky and made me to think a lot, I can't make it too extreme, neither too simple and natural, but after all they are like what I have to do at my salon.

--What were the keys then?

For instance, you have to satisfy your customer in the first time when they come, while in the second time, they started to ask for something different, some small changes. At that moment, you can't go too extreme but have to make sure you, yourself, are ready to suggest colors, and cut from different perspectives.

--That is to say, the idea of "Realitive" is applicable in the daily business at the salon. Regarding your creations in the competition, can you share with us what are the key points in your work in A?

The model for panel A was a bit exotic. Her eyes and mouth were very very special that I couldn't make it too cute but to present a sense of femininity. That's the key.

--The model in B was very stylish as well, right?

As for B, I had the direction to go but I was confused as I didn't know what sort of hair style suit her. I thought quite a lot, while at the end I tried to do what's on my mind, honestly, and finally I made a high-wolf, semi-wet style.

--That's very unique and impressive.

Personally I like curly hair very much. In fact, the model in B was actually my friend.

--Oh, really? By the way, what are the characteristics of the customers in Sendai?

Looking at my own customers, I will say there are so many special people in Sendai. Particularly, there are so many girls doing high-tone but when looking widely at other Sendai girls, I think normally they prefer styles that are more natural.

--When you deal with your customers, are there anything you always bear in mind as a stylist?

I want to be a reliable stylist that customers feel free to share with me anything. And, in the competition, my customers just took picture of my work and encouraged me by saying "I gained the energy from you! I wanna work hard like you do!", so I feel that I should grow further, together with my customers.

Ⅳ．Towards the champion final

--Let's go back and talk about DA- did you discuss with your boss and other staff for your designs?

Yes, right from the beginning, but at first I was so nervous that they told me they didn't really understand what I was saying. [Laughter] I thought I was very much clear, and I told them like one by one, but my boss said to me " you have to organize what you are thinking". So, as time was running short, I tried to calm myself down, then thought of the costume together with other staff members and they really helped me a lot. I felt very thankful for that.

--So, you have won the area competition, and there are still a few months to go before the final competition in July. How are you going to spend these few months? Could you also share with us if you were doing anything new as preparation?

Mr. Kobayashi from Kakimoto arms was one of the judges and he told me "maybe you want to improve of the photo quality." Actually I didn't really take photos of my own design until now, but I am doing this twice a month. That's not entirely for DA, but I am trying to search for something I Iike, the image I like, explore more options, like a trial-and-error.

--What Mr. Kobayashi said was panel A, right?

Yes. He said, " take more photos, just take more". I do agreed, so I was convinced indeed.

--Lastly, can you share with us how motivated you are for DA of the year?

I am really glad that I am one of the finalists. Last year, I was there on the stage as well, so I know that's something special. The quality was really high and that made me want to win. This year, I really want to become the DA of the year. I want to show the judge my growth in this year.

Salon Data
Nico

http://hairatelier-nico.com/

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