The Strength to Truly Choose What You Love — What I Learned While Working in London

As a hairdresser, I’ve worked in Omotesando and London — two cities known for having some of the highest beauty standards in the world.
Both are at the forefront of fashion and hair trends.
People with sharp aesthetics gather there, and new styles are constantly being born.

After working with over 10,000 clients of various nationalities, cultures, ages, and hair types, one thing I’ve come to feel strongly about is the difference in how “beauty” is viewed in Japan and in London.

What I noticed while walking through London

In London, hairstyles and fashion are truly all over the place.
Bright pink hair with a red jacket, green pants, and gold boots.
At first glance it might look random — but somehow, it just suits the person. It looks cool.

The clothing stores are the same.
There are so many items with vibrant colors, high in brightness and saturation.
In contrast, Japanese stores tend to feature mostly black, white, and grey — more subdued overall.

Of course, there’s no “better or worse.”
But in terms of freedom of expression, London feels overwhelmingly more open.

There’s no single “correct” answer for hair or fashion

In London, the same applies to hair.
If someone loves pink, they dye it pink.
If they think an afro suits them, they go for it —
regardless of job, age, or gender.

For example, someone working at a bank might be confidently rocking purple hair.
Or at a government office, an older woman with short blonde hair might be working the reception.

There’s no social pressure of “you should look like this.”
In fact, being able to choose what you truly love is seen as a sign of being an independent, confident adult.

People who prioritize what they love over what “suits” them

Most of the people I met in London seemed to fully accept and enjoy who they are — their skin tone, hair texture, eye color, body shape… all of it.

It was normal.
Instead of comparing themselves to others, they simply asked, “Do I like this?”

Whether it was fashion or hair, it wasn’t about “Does this suit me?”
but rather, “I love this, so I want to wear it.”
“This hairstyle lifts my mood, so I’ll go for it.”
That kind of simple yet powerful self-affirmation was at the core.

What I felt after returning to Japan

Of course, there are so many stylish and creative people in Japan, too.
But I feel that many still worry about “how others will see them.”

That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
But because of my experience in London,
I truly believe that “You can be more free, and you can choose what you love more openly.”

Hair isn’t just about how it looks

Through hair, my job is to bring out each person’s “likes,” “mood,” and “way of life.”
That’s why at Hairdresser TAKA, I value a person’s individuality more than trends.

I hope more people in Japan will feel free to choose what they truly love.
Because even that alone can shift your mood each day.
Taking care of yourself starts with these small acts of choosing for yourself.

Your current hairstyle, your current color —
did you truly choose it because you love it?

If even a small part of you feels like you’re holding back,
please feel free to come talk to me.

Let’s grow your sense of “what you love” together — starting from your hair.
You don’t have to force anything. But maybe, just maybe —
it’s okay to be a little more free.