When you first visit the Y.S. Park in Roppongi, it is clear that this is not your average hair salon. The wooden facade of the shop stands out from the concrete metropolis around it, like a rose in a field of thistles. Just a few blocks from the bustle of Roppongi crossing, the subdued interior of the shop is set off by rich brown antique make-up tables. Soft lighting and warm music give it a lush, elegant atmosphere. Unlike many places in Tokyo, this is a spot where you feel like sitting and staying a while.
Established 20 years ago, and named for its founder, Y.S. Park is a hair salon with both an integrated concept for hair design and a passion (sometimes extreme) for all aspects of hair styling. Mr. Park has ventured far beyond simply cutting hair and moving right along to the next head — he has entered the realm of the hair guru.
In addition to his six hair salons in the Tokyo area, Mr. Park is the developer and retailer of a line of hair-care products that are available throughout Japan — at his shops and at various department stores, including Seibu, Loft, and Takashimaya. Ranging from his Ceramic Shampoo (developed to neutralize the harmful effects of Tokyo’s water) to hair pomade (handmade by a craftsman who makes hair oil for Sumo wrestlers), these products were created with the philosophy that what is good for your hair does not have to be bad for the Earth. The mousse and gel bottles are operated by hand pumps, which eliminate the need for harmful freon gas and LPGs. These elegant containers can be returned to the store for recycling after use.
In addition to his hair-care products, Mr. Park has also designed combs and brushes that are used in his and other salons. And if you imagine that all combs and brushes are equal, think again. Five years ago, a comb, designed by Mr. Park especially for permed hair, won an annual award for good design from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. With the spaces between the teeth wider at one end and with a pick for a handle, the comb allows the stylist to provide special care for permed hair and to give it a natural look. At Y.S. Park, natural is what it’s all about.
The extent to which Y.S. Park adheres to the organic concept is extraordinary. The wooden interior and exterior, faithfully built by the staff, use only natural, non-compressed wood. The individual tray tables used for holding combs, spray bottles, and other accessories are made from wood in its natural state. The hollow wooden brushes used during blow-drying allow for better air circulation. This allows the hair to dry quicker, with minimal damage. Instead of nylon, a number of brushes use pig’s fur because this too is believed to cause less damage to the hair. They also do their best to "reuse, renew, and recycle" in their shops. They reduce their garbage by reusing as many items as possible — including the foil used to wrap hair while it’s being colored and the paper and plastics used during a perm.
The founder’s desire to incorporate a reverence for nature and the planet while providing cutting-edge hair styles has led to the development of what his stylists call the "Y.S. Park Concept". They don’t cut hair at this salon, they "design" it. The Y.S. Park hair design concept focuses on balancing creativity with natural beauty. The stylists find a look that enhances the natural beauty of the individual, while taking the lifestyles of their patrons into account.
Although it may seem obvious that people who have five minutes to do their hair in the morning and those who have 30 minutes have different needs, the people at Y.S. Park take nothing for granted. By communicating with their clients about lifestyles and needs, they are able to incorporate these into their hair designs and thereby avoid the: "Why can’t I get it to look like it did in the shop?" reaction to a new hairstyle.
Their motto is "Nature by Future," which entails combining what the customer wants with what they already have (natural beauty) and then adding a touch of something new (creativity). Their objective is to create a comfortable hairstyle that is also sophisticated and fresh.
The hair designing at Y.S. Park is as fresh as it gets. Though their main clientele are average style-conscious women, Y.S. Park often serves clients from the TV and entertainment industry. Their most notable customers are young gentlemen who are managed by the production company Journeys and are preparing for their music debuts. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, just flip through a few CDs at your local music shop.
There’s a reason why people who are molding and shaping the styles of the future come here. The ladies and gentlemen at Y.S. Park take their design concept to heart. When asked about the difference between cutting foreigners’ and Japanese people’s hair, the store manager noted, with the subtlety of an artist, that the shape of Asian people’s heads is generally different from that of non-Asians and that this affects the stylist’s approach to design. A stylist must take into account the face and characteristics of each individual, in addition to the natural texture of each person’s hair.
Though clipping out pictures of the pop or TV star who sports the haircut you want is still the preferred way of guiding the stylist, the folks at Y.S. Park aren’t simply going to nod their assent, give you a Miho Nakayama cut, and send you on your merry way. That is not what they have been taught to do. They are going to do their utmost to transcend the latest fashion fad. As one stylist put it: "We may be surrounded by antique furniture, but we seek to create the
most thoughtful and sophisticated concepts in
modern hair design."
Y.S. Park
Y.S. Park Daikanyama
10-8 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 3461-2244
Y.S. Park Bloom Daikanyama:
1-34-29 Ebisu-nishi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 3464-3366
Y.S. Park Omotesando:
4-29-3 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 3746-2244
Y.S. Park International Roppongi:
5-10-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 3423-2244
Y.S. Park Aoyama:
5-8-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 3400-6677
Y.S. Park Bloom Shibuya:
6-19-12 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 3486-9898
Y.S. Park Hair Growing Esthetic Shop:
5-10-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 3423-4422
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