DESIGNER'S
REVIEWS

• 

  Junko Omura

  ACQUA

  Each year, the quality is getting higher and it is improving especially in design abilities. Also, it gives me an impression that it has shifted to a new mode.
  In the Realitive category, there were many outstanding works, but what about avant-garde? There were many works that left me with questions.
  In the Avant-garde category, there were many wonderful works filled with great originality, but at the same time there were also works that were overdirected.
  It is not just about impact, but it is also important to make the model look beautiful, which is why I think it might be even better if one could pay attention at the image phase and photoshoot.
• 

  Hiroki Miyamura

  AFLOAT

  I think the overall work quality is improving.
  In the Realitive category the creators' commitments can be widely seen, and there were also some works that surpassed avant-garde's.
  Those sensibleness are what creators should display.
  In the Avant-garde category, I am glad to see many extreme works.
  But, what comes as a top work is work that portrays great balance in that very one piece of photo.
• 

  Toshiyasu Iwata

  Angelica

  In the Realitive category, "design should be based on the model".
  If the model or design is difficult to be seen due to extreme photography techniques such as blurring or bokeh, it will be very likely to be excluded from assessment.
  In the Avant-garde category, apart from having the point of being "avant-garde and innovative", I chose based on the fact where the hair design and makeup does not stand alone, whereas it could help to maximize the model's beauty.
  Personally, I regret to say that there were quite a number of works in which the photography techniques have preceded the essential design and model. Of course, I understand that it is necessary to do so to bring out the best of one's work, but I am hoping that for once more, one could go back to the starting point as a hair designer to compete in this contest.
  
• 

  Toshiyuki Komatsu

  ANTI

  The Realitive category had many great designs with cut and shape texture, color and detailed cut, curve combination and shape texture, and various cut ends.
  The Avant-garde category had two directions.
  One is a high-quality avant-garde design that is extended from Realitive category, and the other is creative design with artistic balance made out of originality.
  The two are designed with the same sensibility and thought, but expressed in different directions.
  I think a design that utilizes imagination needed for originality will change the current beauty industry.
• 

  CHIKA

  artifata

  In the Realitive category, there were many works that I could imagine to be really seen walking in the city.
  On the other hand, there were also still many works related to hair and makeup that is said to be inappropriate in the streets.
  In the Avant-garde category, there were many fresh and energetic works that make me go "How?! Look!", which actually keeps me excited.
• 

  Hiroyuki Obayashi

  ASCH

  The top ranking participants in the Avant-garde category understood avant-garde well.
  As Realitive works have become the mainstream in Japan these days, it will be nice to think about the meaning of avant-garde for once and create it.
  I am sure there will be many brilliant works.
  Please continue to take on the challenge.
• 

  Takashi Kojo

  DADA CuBiC

  I got the impression that the level is slightly lower than before, and stunt in characteristics, probably because it is difficult to shoot or because the number of photo contest held last year has decreased.
  In particular, I felt a slump in the Realitive category.
  I think it is necessary to convey to the new generation of hair designers the greatness and attractive side of Realitive, and the importance of having one's own speciality.
  In the Avant-garde category, I think that the works of the creators' energy go beyond their preferences and this attracts the viewer.
  On the other hand, there were also conspicuous works in which emphasizes on photography instead of the quality of hair, which hair designers should be most focused on.
  
• 

  Hayato Dobashi

  DIFINO

  I sense that the contrast between Realitive and Avant-garde has become much easier to understand.
  In the Realitive category, there were many layered styles overall which I feel a drastic change in trend in tune with the times.
  I also felt that there were many designs that were overloaded with various elements.
  I also sense that the Avant-garde category is finally establishing.
  Among them there were also some works which I think should be submitted to the Realitive category.
  If only they could better convey women's strength and softness, I think you might see an increase in great works.
• 

  Atsushi Komatsu

  HEAVENS

  Given the situation in both domestic and abroad, I feel that every hair designers are willing to breakthrough the status quo.
  Let it be events or individual actions, anyways I think the most important thing is to keep it going.
  Apart from the direction of Realitive category, as an in-depth design, I felt that it was an easy guideline for salon staffs to work on.
  I sense that there are more and more works that convey the meaning of hair design that enhances the model's traits.
  At the beginning of where the Avant-garde category was first introduced, I had the impression that the word "extreme" was too much ahead, but overall I see an increase in understanding of the expression of hair design and visual.
• 

  KO, Hyungwook

  id HAIR

  In the Realitive category, there were many works that were inspired as a design that is half a step ahead and a design that could be immediately proposed to customers.
  In the Avant-garde category, I came across many wonderful works that made me feel the future based on the past and present.
  Creation consumes money and energy, but the efforts never betray.
  I'm sure it will bear fruit as a result.
• 

  ZHOU, Bojun

  IDOL-PLUS

  There were many extremely high-level works in this year's DA-Photo Works, and it is a stage where hair designers can express themselves globally.
  Despite the coronavirus, it is tremendous to see so many people still participating in this contest. Let's have more hair designers participate and together through photo shooting we shall improve our design abilites and creativity.
• 

  Tomohiro Kobayashi

  kakimoto arms

  I felt there were many similar styling and photography styles in the Realitive category.
  I think that the most important thing in the Realitive idea is to bring out the model's individuality and create "personality".
  Instead of creating what you like, I hope that you will confront your model and come up with design ideas that truly fits her.
  I think avant-garde is not just about deterioration or dirty and strong, but it also expresses refined sophistication.
  I think the overall quality has improved immensely. However, designers tend to bound to the current mainstream which is why I hope they can keep taking on new challenges.
• 

  Shigeru Tsukamoto

  k-two

  In the Realitive category, I felt that it was a waste for some works which were too enthusiastic that it went overboard, out of the reality frame.
  In the Avant-garde category, there were many wonderful works with originality because there were freedom in creativity.
  Among them, I was impressed by a work that attracted me with its new expression in an unconventional way of thinking where the creation does not drift too far away from hair.
  I strongly think that in design, it is important to confront your creation as through your creation it will be conveyed.
  It is great to have a place to pursue not only salon styles but your own preferred styles, and I believe there will be improvement in the hair designer's sense.
• 

  Souichiro Uchida

  LECO

  In Realitive, it is important to let your story conveyed through the main subject, which is your model's hair.
  I think that those who feel it and those who don't are separated.
  I think what is important is not to look at a contest and devise a plan for your work for the sake of the contest, but to draw yourself closer to the model and think about how you should express it through hair, outfit, facial expression and the setting.
  Also, this is just my personal opinion regarding Realitive, but I think I am tired of looking at model's eye squinting expression.
  The definition of avant-garde may be different for everyone, but this time it was really inspiring to see many people challenging new and never before seen avant-garde designs.
  There is always someone in every era that will always go for it! Let's keep it going!!
• 

  Shinji Miyoshi

  LILI

  I see all works conveying everyone's effort.
  I think by creating a work, it connects sensibility, techniques, movement such as softness and expression of fine hair tips.
  Doing 20 times is better than 10 times as it makes you more reflective.
  The more you do, the more reflective you are.
  You will have lots of worries too.
  I am not all there yet too, but from my standpoint as a judge I believe great creators are always putting in effort until they are satisfied.
  I hope everyone could also keep that in mind to do a better job.
• 

  Takahisa Okamura

  MINX

  In recent years, the Realitive category has lots of styles which I have somehow seen, and I am hoping to see the next new design.
  The quality of the Avant-garde category has improved, and it was very refreshing to judge.
  If you try various things more freely, the range of design will expand.
  I wish designers could take on the challenge of thinking one step ahead and expand the possibilities for hair designers.
• 

  REN, Yuping

  MY HAIR SALON

  DA-Photo Works has become an indicator of the industry's progress, and it is a promising event which allows designers to develop empathy.
  The qualities of the works are certainly higher than last year's, and the gap between each work is getting smaller too.
  The standard of the Realitive category is extremely high, and the salon customer's demand and inspirational expressions are intermingled, and you can feel the personality while adapting, although exaggerating but familiar.
  I believe that by stressing out on designs, we will be able to create works at an even higher-level next year.
• 

  Tatsumasa Fukui

  PEEK-A-BOO

  In the Avant-garde category, I feel there were many works that were a little more to the Realitive side.
  In the absence of constraints, it is important to create constraits and convert them into repulsive energy to let it explode.
  It tends to be on the dark side, but I would like to see works that could impress the viewers.
  Moreover, a contest is a place where you get to check your own whereabouts. There are some people who participate just for the sake of participating, some came with a strategy to take the first place, and some just want to express their creativity.
  There might be some people who think it is nonsense to give them the same score, but I think contest is a necessary place to get to know yourself. The figure of a challenger is absolutely stunning.
• 

  Kenichi Huang

  PLUS CODE HAIR WORKS

  The Realitive category was really beyond my imagination.
  Looking at those powerful visuals, I could sense each and every designer's speciality.
  I was really impressed by the strong expression of the overall atmosphere and individuality with the use of design and various colors.
  Although it was simple but the points were clear and impressive.
  In the Avant-garde category, all the works have extremely powerful visual, vibrant individuality and well conveyed concept. Truly impressive!
• 

  WANG, Zhan

  PURE RIPPLE

  Ideas are diversifying and originality is also increasing in design.
  In the Realitive category, the number of works in line with the "Realitive" theme, which combines both real design and original creativity elements have increased, and the works in the Avant-garde category have given me a lot of design inspiration.
  I hope that we will continue to improve the degree of perfection, and produce high-quality creative works.
• 

  Masayoshi Shigemori

  Rougy

  There are also those trending high-tone colors, but there are also many Realitive works that feel like avant-garde, which makes no difference with avant-garde.
  Realitive was more impressive overall in quality.
  In avant-garde, there needs to be extreme essences, and I wished to see slightly higher quality works. I can see the challenging spirit there, and so I would like to look forward to it.
  So please try to challenge yourself more in avant-garde.
• 

  Asuka Tamaki

  snob enVAmp

  All the works were extremely wonderful, and it was very stimulating to see them.
  While judging, I felt that being a hair designer and being able to put effort into such important thing is a blessing.
  I am sure that the amount of effort spent in your daily salon work will show through your work. It is very difficult to be conscious of new expressions, but I myself learned that it is important to always have an open heart while you enjoy creating hairstyles.
• 

  Tsubasa Kamitani

  SCREEN

  There were many very beautiful works, well-balanced, as well as works with great efforts in photos. However, I thought it was just "trendy". It is nothing bad about "trendy" but there is a difference between "now" and "trendy". A "trendy" work is a work where the expression and atmosphere are something you have seen before, whereas a "now" work is a work that a creator takes on a challenge at the current time to provide new stimulus. Taking risk to try on new challenges may not be popular to most people, but it is those risk that takes you a step ahead in creating new expressions. So, please take on the challenge with your own speciality to create never-before-seen works! This will definitely expand the range!