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Stuffed with acid greens, lemon yellows and Leeloo oranges, Aya Kuraoka’s work makes a vibrant statement. The London-based, Japanese-born hairstylist and wigmaker just isn’t one for a boring brunette, as evidenced by a portfolio brimming with vibrancy and rainbow hues which seems to ask the query: why have hair that’s only one color when it could possibly be every color unexpectedly?

In an ever-evolving beauty landscape that centres around art and self-expression, Kuraoka has emerged as a creative pioneer within the realm of hairstyling. Dynamic, with a punk, rebellious flair that emphasises individuality, she embraces surreal and impressionistic styles that challenge traditional notions of hair color and elegance. From rainbow pigtails and choppy, asymmetrical fringes to Kill Bill-esque jellyfish cuts and tie-dye streaks, Kuraoka’s distinctive, out-of-the-box personality is reflected in every hairdo she creates.

Kuraoka’s punk artistic vision has seen her tapped by designers like Kiko Kostadinov and Cormio and publications including Schön! Magazine. For Polyester Zine, she styled wigs for Euphoria actress and Gen Z icon Chloe Cherry, with a mermaid blue mullet and a go-big-or-go-home blonde Dolly Parton-esque look. For Infringe Magazine, she created neon short cuts in vivid hues and motorcycle helmet-like structures, paying homage to traditionally masculine influences while difficult conventional norms. 

What sets Kuraoka aside from the gang is her commitment to non-conventional, mould-breaking hairstyles – a mentality that she has had since childhood, when her mother would do her hair otherwise from everyone else at college. “Perhaps due to that, even after I grew up I liked to decorate otherwise from my friends,” she says. Now, she uses her work to convey the fun of free self-expression; her passion for breaking boundaries allows her to emerge as a disruptor on this planet of avant-garde hairstyling.

Are you able to tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?

Aya Kuraoka: I grew up in Hiroshima. I lived with my mother who loved fashion, my father who was good along with his hands and made the whole lot by himself, and my older brother who liked Manga and games. My mother made me dress otherwise and do my hair otherwise. All my friends had bangs, but I never did until middle school. Perhaps due to that, even after I grew up, I liked to decorate otherwise from my friends. Once I was in elementary school, I began reading plenty of fashion magazines, and in middle school I learned about Vogue and have become interested by London.

How did you get into hairstyling?

Aya Kuraoka: I used to work at a hair salon in Japan, but I desired to be more creative, so I did hair contests and did photo shoots. To be honest, I didn’t think Japanese hair contests were cool, so I could not discover a reason to take part in them.

What are you trying to speak through your work?

Aya Kuraoka: Through my work, I’m attempting to convey how hair can change the best way people look, and the enjoyment of fashion and the liberty of expression. I used to be born and raised in Japan, so I’ve seen individuals with similar hairstyles and fashions who don’t really express their individuality. And after I got here to London, I used to be surprised that there’s such a wide range of fashion and everybody has their very own fashion sense. The difference between Japanese [people] and Londoners is that Londoners don’t care what other people think. I used to be convinced that [this] was correct. People should enjoy their favourite fashion without worrying about what others think!

What’s been your profession highlight to this point?

Aya Kuraoka: With the ability to do hair for a [runway] show of a brand that has been a dream of mine since I used to be a bit girl. KIKO KOSTADINOV.

Describe your beauty aesthetic in three words.

Aya Kuraoka: Balance, little weird, classy.

Who’s your beauty icon? 

Aya Kuraoka: Zoe Kravitz, she’s very natural and unpretentious, and she or he looks cool and cute.

What’s your current obsession?

Aya Kuraoka: I’ve been sick for a very long time currently, so I’m obsessive about self-care for my mind and body. I once more realised the importance of being healthy. I research and check out to search out out about exercise and food nutrition.

What does beauty mean to you?

Aya Kuraoka: It’s natural, healthy and balanced.

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