Given my profession as a hair and makeup artist, some might wonder, "Why a lifestyle brand, not a cosmetics brand?" But from the very beginning of my career, I believed that a woman's beauty stems not just from makeup, but from all aspects of her daily life. My own interests lay in that direction as well.

My 20s: A Focus on Interior Design

In my twenties, I considered my room and its interior to be a crucial "environment" that formed the basis of my individuality. I worried that a dim, gloomy room might imbue me with a similar aura, or that a messy room would make me a careless person. I also believed that "a person's true self is reflected in their living space." So, even when I didn't have much disposable income as a young woman, I spent more on my room and interior design than on fashion or food.

More than that, thinking about a "personal" interior and choosing furniture and accessories was incredibly enjoyable and exciting for me. By arranging my space and selecting items, I felt I was confirming my own sense of self.

My 30s: Fashion Broadened My Sense of Self

My interest in fashion began in my thirties. Especially after establishing my own company at 34, I started considering my position as a representative and began accepting speaking engagements and television work. This shifted my approach from the carefree, casual style of my freelance days—where I wore whatever I wanted—to dressing in ways that appeared polished. For magazine interviews, I began choosing outfits that suited the publication and theme. For lectures, I considered the venue's atmosphere, size, and theme, as well as how to "shine on stage."

I started to consider dressing appropriately for the time, place, and occasion (TPO), which significantly expanded my fashion repertoire and, I believe, my sense of self. I also realized that the wider the range of my attire, the broader my appeal, and the more I could enjoy different facets of my individuality.

My 40s: A Time of Lifestyle Transformation

In my forties, I began to address the physical stiffness I'd had since childhood and the postural imbalances developed from the contorted positions required in hair and makeup. I started going for massages and practicing stretching, marking a period of awakening to my "body."

I discovered that when my body felt better, my mind felt lighter, realizing that "the body and mind are connected." I still vividly remember that moment. Since then, I've continued to engage with my body, seeking to lighten my spirit. As my stiffness and imbalances lessened, my skin became more radiant, and I lost excess weight. This decade made me keenly aware that "the face is not separate from the body, nor the body from the face; the entire body is interconnected and influences itself."

Furthermore, in my late forties, I transitioned to an early-rising lifestyle, began incorporating organic, pesticide-free vegetables into my diet, and even tried fasting, actively focusing on "physical and mental well-being." I truly learned that 'daily life changes a person's appearance' and that 'you are what you eat' is indeed true.

My 50s: Establishing My Lifestyle

It was from around age 50 that the individual insights I'd gained through my forties began to coalesce into my own lifestyle. I built a home near the sea, where I could feel close to nature, realizing my dream of "living in a house like this" and "having a garden like that." I created a vegetable patch in a corner of the garden, cultivating fruit trees and flowers. I also started making my own miso and pickling vegetables, things I had always bought before.

By studying nutrition and taking correspondence courses in organic living, I was able to clarify my previously vague ideas about "food."

My approach to my body evolved from stretching to yoga and Pilates, and I continue these practices to actively cultivate a lighter mind and body.

Everyday Joys and Happiness Are the Source of Beauty

It was around the time I began to feel that the dots I had pursued with interest since my youth were finally connecting to form my own lifestyle that this project came about. For me, it's not a sudden development; "MICHIKO.LIFE" is an extension of my younger years. It's the culmination of expressing "beauty is cultivated from daily life"—a concept I've discussed in interviews and written about since my twenties—through tangible products and experiences. That's how I see it.

Of course, daily beauty routines are important. It's genuinely uplifting and brings happiness to feel beautiful through self-care. I believe beauty isn't pursued solely for the end goal of being beautiful, but for the joy and happiness that lie beyond it.

After all, women naturally radiate beauty when they feel joy and happiness. That's why it's important to find ways to feel joy and happiness, however small. This is something adults can do, and something that becomes increasingly necessary as we age.
Therefore, I want "MICHIKO.LIFE" to be a brand that supports such joy and happiness.

For details on our first collection of original and selected products, please readthe article on OPENERS' "BEAUTY NEWS."I would be delighted if you did.

• Series | Back to Michiko Fujiwara TOP