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January 26, 2015
TWIGGY | Celebrating 20 Years: An Interview with Miho Matsuura
ORGANICAL on Twiggy: Special
Twiggy's 20th Anniversary Party: A Report
What Hairstylist Miho Matsuura Felt on Her 20th Anniversary
The celebration for Twiggy, a hair salon marking its 20th anniversary this year, was held last month in the courtyard of the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. "This world, as I envisioned it, was even more than I had imagined," said Matsuura of the fantastical venue that surprised attendees. What sentiments did she pour into this celebration for her 20th anniversary?
Text by Yuka Kobayashi
Photo by Koji Sato
As dusk approached, the eerie glow of candles cast shadows on the courtyard lawn. Banquet tables arranged in the center of the venue were adorned with candles of various sizes, interspersed with ripe fruits and fresh herbs planted in dark soil. "Farms" of dips were placed in select spots, with stick vegetables planted in them, and bread shaped like slender branches, reminiscent of Twiggy (small branches), lay beside them. During the party, dancers in enchanting costumes moved around these tables, which recreated a medieval banquet, their performances blurring the sense of time.
—For this party, you had an impressive lineup of staff, including food coordinator Yuri Nomura, candle artist Candle JUNE, and stylist Tetsuro Nagase. Is that right?
What I felt most strongly at the Twiggy 20th anniversary party was the realization that "my casting was not wrong." Just like in my regular shoots, casting is the lifeblood when creating something.
"Twiggy Banquet" (2007) Photo: Koji Sato Styling: Tetsuro Nagase Makeup: Noboru Tomizawa Food Direction: Rieko Teramoto
So, I entrusted Yuri Nomura and Candle JUNE, who share a similar worldview with me, with expressing the world I wanted to convey.
With these two, there was hardly any conversation; I simply showed them the photograph of "Twiggy Banquet" (pictured below) and said, "This is the image." A banquet held by fallen nobles and bohemians from different eras in the middle of a forest... I wanted them to feel this atmosphere. Since Nagase was the stylist for "Twiggy Banquet," I asked him to style the dancers, and then requested Takayuki Suzuki, the designer of takayuki SUZUKI, to create the costumes.
I had been interested in Yuri Nomura's work, particularly her film "eatrip" (2009), for some time. When I mentioned it to various people, I had the chance to meet her. Apparently, she had already heard about my rice cultivation and work through mutual acquaintances. When we first met, she didn't realize who I was, and only thought, "Ah, I see," after I made the request.
Even so, she visited the salon several times and saw the rooftop greenery at the salon and photos of my rice. Furthermore, it turned out that many of the people Yuri found "interesting personalities" were actually Twiggy clients (laughs).
She told me, "I'm so surprised. It feels like I knew you even before we met." But I also felt that casting Yuri Nomura was not a coincidence but a necessity. Given our connection, there was no need for extensive meetings for the party. When she asked, "Can I use your new rice for the party?" I responded, "Ah, you thought of that too?" (laughs).
The vegetables were so beautifully arranged that one hesitated to touch them.
All the bread was baked in shapes resembling Twiggy (small branches).
With JUNE, whom I've known for a while, she asked, "Shall we do a tent? Maybe with fairy lights?" and I replied, "Yes, exactly that!" It was that kind of rapport. When I mentioned wanting to set up a tent for the children attending with guests to play in, she created a Mongolian-style yurt that perfectly matched my vision.
The venue exuded a mysterious atmosphere, illuminated mainly by decorative fairy lights and candles.
The moment I saw it, I thought, "A yurt after all, amazing!" (laughs). Then JUNE suggested, "I think a tent like a first-aid station would be good for the reception." When I left it to her, she actually set up a medical tent used at disaster relief sites, creating a fantastical world that guests had to pass through... it was perfect. I consider both JUNE and Yuri to be artists who capture the essence of 2010. The word "trend" is practically obsolete now (laughs), but in today's era, where the focus is on the personal rather than the overall flow, they are the trendiest individuals for me in 2010.
ORGANICAL on Twiggy: Special
Twiggy's 20th Anniversary Party: A Report
My Dream is the "Now": Seeking What Captures My Passion
—Unlike typical event preparations, everyone on site worked with remarkable composure. Is that correct?
In the era to come, rather than exaggerating or hiding one's principles about what constitutes one's lifestyle, being one's authentic self is what's trendy. If everyone does that, there will be no hesitation in choosing who to work with. There's no need for "hidden talents" or "I can't do that." Being true to oneself is the theme of our times. In that sense, the party's success was likely due to all the staff giving their best, authentically.
Stylist "Jian" Nagase quickly finished his work in Fukuoka that day and returned to Tokyo for this party. He meticulously styled each person in outfits by Suzuki Takayuki and even handled the costumes for tap dancer Kazunori Kumagai. Each professional, without feeling pressured or needing direction, perfectly executed their tasks... The result was a sophisticated event, and I am convinced that this form, rather than aiming solely for sophistication, captured the hearts of the guests.
Not only the party itself, but all of this has been a "learning experience" for me. The ability to connect with people and transform "緣" (en: fate/connection) into "円" (en: circle/completion) is my source of sustenance. By diligently reciprocating the kindness of those who attended and the staff involved, I will become someone who can "bring joy" to them, thus completing the "円"... Thinking about it fills me with renewed determination.
—Does the accumulation of 20 years carry a significant weight?
I don't consider 20 years to be the mark of an established institution. Many established places have been around for 50 or even 100 years. When I see others celebrating their 5th or 10th anniversaries, I think, "Ah, I've made it to 20 years," but in my mind, all levels are the same. I want to maintain the same feeling regardless of the number of years.
Tap dancer Kazunori Kumagai performed a session with percussionists, showcasing a brilliant tap dance.
For example, UA is savoring her 15th anniversary with her live performances, and Taeko Onuki dislikes the concept of "anniversaries" altogether. She dislikes the idea of "circling" back to the past because she's always looking forward. Yet, to me, both of them feel incredibly fresh. Whether it's 15 years or 35 years, the feeling at that moment is what matters most. So, while I strongly desire Twiggy to remain fresh no matter what anniversary it celebrates, on the other hand, having achieved such a high-quality 20th-anniversary celebration, I can now return to zero. ... I wanted to return to zero, so I thought a high-quality event would be ideal, but conversely, if there were challenges left, it would also be good because it would give me something to pursue.
—The attendees at the venue were quite diverse, unlike a typical industry party; there were people of all ages and backgrounds, from work colleagues to the general public. Is that right?
My ideal is for adults, children, grandparents, and fashion-forward individuals to be able to relax in the same space.
I learned this from pub culture in London. When you go to a pub, you'll find blue-collar guys who were doing road work just moments before, alongside punks and young people who seem like artists of unknown origin, all enjoying conversations with strangers over a pint. I once went to a pub near Hampstead Heath (a vast park in North London) and found Sting himself at the counter (laughs). But even then, no one made a fuss; an older gentleman drinking nearby casually asked, "Is 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles' jazz?" and Sting responded naturally. Seeing that, I thought, "Ah, this is ideal." In Japan, if someone like Eikichi Yazawa walked into an izakaya, everyone would make a scene, wouldn't they? (laughs).
That atmosphere has faded in London, but conversely, I feel that Japan is gradually developing such an atmosphere. And I believe a "hair salon" is one of the places where this can be felt.
As the party neared its end, candles were gradually gathered around a dresser set up in a corner of the venue.
In a hair salon, everyone spends time together in a state of vulnerability, with towels wrapped around their heads after shampooing or perm rods in their hair... On the other hand, I tell my staff, "How we escort our clients can determine our mood for the day." It's gratifying when people, regardless of fame, reach the same level of excitement. It's about passing the baton between generations, and the idea that there are no hierarchies among people. Not in a religious sense, but through the work of hair and makeup, meeting people from various walks of life, I truly feel this. The idea that everyone is the same. I learned this from my father.
—After a successful 20th anniversary, what are your thoughts for "what's next"?
My dream is the "now." That's why I find the question "What is your dream?" the most difficult. The word "dream" (夢) is written with the characters "dream" (夢) and "inside" (中), isn't it? So, I seek what I can be passionate about. What ignites my fire, what I find interesting – that is pleasure. And when something I absolutely believe in is praised, the pleasure multiplies. So, ultimately, it's fine to be self-centered. Being satisfied is pleasure. Being fully satisfied with what I've decided to do and what I'm allowed to do is pleasure, and that is being in a dream. Therefore, I am still in a dream, and I will continue to be in a dream. In that sense, this party was the pinnacle of pleasure (laughs). I felt like I could "die once." Like a new day is starting tomorrow! It's truly "Reborn."
Actually, the day after the party was my birthday, so in that sense too, I felt like I could start with a clean slate. At the end of the party that day, as the clock struck midnight, the staff held a wrap-up party that also served as a birthday celebration. And at the end of the party, each staff member gave me a flower... But then, with my face surrounded by those flowers, I looked like someone in a coffin, and I couldn't help but say, "Thank you all for letting me die today" (laughs). It's a joyous occasion. Because everyone let me "die," I'm incredibly excited about what's to come. This 20th anniversary, my birthday – everything felt incredibly fresh. It felt like I was being pushed from behind, told, "Always stay fresh!"