From digital artists to photographers, body sculptors and hair stylists to make-up and nail artists, in our Highlight series, we profile the creatives tearing up the rulebook of their respective industries.

Using hair as a vehicle for storytelling, Kiyoko Odo’s work oscillates between futuristic minimalism to the mind-bogglingly insane. “I really like creating something with hair and connecting with the person’s character and personality,” she explains. “I see so many incredible clothes in film and theatre which emphasise the character inside the story. That is what I aim to do with hair.” Originally from Japan, and now working in London, Kiyoko’s vibrant wigs and complicated hair sculptures have been featured in every single place from Vogue to Dazed. You name it, she’s coiffed, preened, dyed and styled it, most recently lending her skills to Junya Watanabe’s spring/summer 2019 runway show, where she sent models down the catwalk with choppy bobs the color of M&Ms. Here we speak to Kiyoko about her visual inspirations growing up, her profession, and her hopes for the long run.

Do you remember the primary time you were conscious of your appearance?
Kiyoko Odo: I don’t remember when exactly but I used to be definitely a young child. If I didn’t like my hair or clothes my mother selected for me, I’d refuse to depart the home so my mother would need to re-select my clothes and re-do my hair. I used to be a nightmare girl for my mum.

Growing up, what informed your understanding of beauty and identity and the way in which you presented yourself visually?
Kiyoko Odo: I grew up reading FRUITS magazine. It documents people and their street style within the Harajuku district in Tokyo. After I was at junior highschool, I used to be obsessive about the people within the magazine. The magazine continues to be my bible, and all my creativity and interest in fashion comes from there.

What’s it about dressing the hair that appeals to you?
Kiyoko Odo: I selected hair as a medium because I really like creating something with hair and using it to attach with an individual’s character and personality.

Where did you hone your craft? 
Kiyoko Odo: I didn’t start working in a hair salon like most hair stylists. I began assisting at 19-years-old and spent a few years assisting many individuals. I learnt hair styling from each hair stylist on set and step by step began picking up recent techniques while working alongside them.

Tell us a bit about your creative process. 
Kiyoko Odo: I start considering of hair ideas and putting them down on paper first. I’ll try to maintain these quick. More often than not, once I’ve began to work it out with hair, I realise that it could possibly only exist in my head but during making or twiddling with the hair certain ideas suddenly just come to me.

What’s your relationship to “beauty”?
Kiyoko Odo: For me, beauty is something that makes me joyful and excited after I see it.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Kiyoko Odo: Weird Japanese.

What are the projects that you simply’re most pleased with?
Kiyoko Odo: I’ve worked on the Junya Watanabe show in Paris over the previous few seasons. It has been my favourite project to this point.

What’s probably the most significant thing you’ve learnt over the course of your profession? 
Kiyoko Odo: For me, I’ve learnt to only be myself and follow who I’m. The primary time I saw models wearing my wigs on the runway was such a moment for me.  I had been working on them for over a month. I felt so joyful.

What’s it about fashion that interests you?
Kiyoko Odo: People expressing themselves and demonstrating who they’re through clothes. I really like runway and the energy it produces in every single place.

How do you collaborate with designers while you do a show?
Kiyoko Odo: It depends upon the designer really. I normally just need a word or idea to work with, then off I am going.

What’s your dream project to work on?
Kiyoko Odo: My dream project can be to publish my very own book on hair. I’d like to make an odd, creative hair book in the long run.

How do you’re thinking that the industry has evolved because you first began?
Kiyoko Odo: After I first began assisting, everyone was shooting on film, but then photographers shifted to using digital cameras. Now everyone uses the format they like. People aren’t responding to trends as they used to, but wear what they need now, which is fun. But I sometimes think we would miss the vibe where you possibly can get the sense and kind of an era through its clothes.

How do you’re thinking that our understanding of beauty has shifted with the evolution of technology?
Kiyoko Odo: It’s shifted loads since social media; people can get ideas and explore looks they love. The wonder industry is so big now.

What advice would you give to young artists hoping to get into the industry?
Kiyoko Odo: Explore what your style is, then carry on brushing up your technique and developing ideas.  Follow your passions and be patient until something works.

What’s the long run of beauty?
Kiyoko Odo: Expressing personality through technology.