It Began With "Mika, I'll Make Any Oil You Want"

Mika Ninagawa and Chico Shigeta first metthree years ago in OPENERS magazine.Chico's request to "meet Mika Ninagawa now!" led to a conversation in OPENERS. Since then, they have supported each other's work. Now, their first joint project has come to fruition. The project started with an idea from Mika Ninagawa, a long-time user of SHIGETA products.

Chico ShigetaWe've been good friends with Mika since that interview.

Mika NinagawaWe don't see each other that often because we're both so busy, but we have dinner together when Chico comes to Japan. The other day, when I was in Paris, we met for about 15 minutes in the food hall at Le Bon Marché and just chatted standing up. It's always like that. This project also started naturally when Chico said over dinner at my place, "Mika, I'll make any oil you want." I was like, "Really? Then please!" (laughs).

ChicoYes, it was decided on the spot (laughs). She said she "wanted it, wanted it," so I asked what she needed, and she immediately replied, "A scent that instantly awakens my potential!"

NinagawaYes, a scent that allows me to shift into top gear whenever needed for work.

ChicoAnd to achieve that, you want to be in "zero gravity." This is difficult to interpret; it's not quite relaxation. What is it like? Perhaps like a vacuum tube?

NinagawaThat's right. A state of absolute silence.

ChicoAnd also, as a woman, a scent that allows you to project "sexy me" when you go out. These three necessities—the things you can't do without—came to you immediately when I asked, so I wanted to hear more. You said, "Then come to the set tomorrow. I'll be shooting, but there should be time for touch-ups." Such speed! (laughs).

NinagawaYou too, Chico! When you came, you didn't ask any specific questions about the scents or ingredients. Instead, you spent nearly two hours asking things like, "What does 'vacuum' mean to you, Mika?" "What state are you in when you're fighting?" "What kind of woman do you find sexy?" You just kept digging into my thoughts. Then, after asking everything, you said, "I understand," and left (laughs).

I Want to Create Something That's Uniquely Mika!

ChicoWhat I wanted to do then was to transfer Mika's inner world to myself as much as possible. To create something that is uniquely Mika, I felt the SHIGETA-ness was unnecessary. Instead, I wanted to express what "Mika Ninagawa's scent would be if it took form." That's why I really, really wanted to understand the logic behind her thoughts, the reasoning behind why she mentioned those "three necessities."

NinagawaYes, I enjoyed that time too, and it was exciting. Afterward, I received many samples, each with a scent tailored to the keywords, and my excitement reached its peak. Then I thought, "Which one should I choose?" I tried this one today, that one tomorrow, incorporating them into my daily life. After a few days, I decided, "This is it!"

I already use SHIGETA oils, so having them made like haute couture was truly moving. When I express something, whether through words, photos, or films, it's all essentially saying the same thing, just through different methods. The discovery that Chico could translate that into a scent was astonishing, and it felt so much like myself that I was almost embarrassed. Although the three scents are completely different, none of them are cloying; they are sophisticated, adult fragrances. They are exactly the ideal form I aspire to.

Mika Ninagawa × SHIGETA Collaboration Oil "VOYAGE BY MIKA NINAGAWA" Released!

The Order: An Oil to Create "Your Best Self, Always" (2)

Aiming to Combine Efficacy and Scent for "I Want to Be Like This"

—Did the imagery of cities also play a key role in creating the scents?

ChicoI believe the image of a city is very personal. Therefore, in this case, rather than my own impressions, I've expressed Tokyo, Shanghai, and Paris as seen through Mika's lens within these three scents.

—"Tokyo Rouge," which ignites passion, sharpens the nerves, and expands one's potential; "Paris Neige," which removes tension and anxiety, fostering imagination; and "Shanghai Noir," which enhances self-love and brings out intellectual sensuality. Which scent does Chico favor the most?

ChicoI love all three, of course, but I'm most drawn to "Shanghai Noir." It's incredible.

NinagawaYes, incredible (laughs). It's addictive.

ChicoThis is a truly luxurious scent; the quality is such that a regular perfume wouldn't use such fine ingredients. I did wonder about the business viability, but to capture "Mika Ninagawa-ness," we needed to use abundant, carefully selected materials. For example, sandalwood. We usually use Austrian sandalwood, but that alone would make the scent too light. To express Mika, we needed more depth, so we blended in a generous amount of very expensive "deep Sri Lankan sandalwood."

NinagawaPerhaps because it contains high-quality ingredients that are rarely encountered, the initial impression is unique. It's a pleasant scent unlike anything I've experienced before.

The positive "Tokyo Rouge," and "Paris Neige" with its "Tightening" Sensation

Chico"Tokyo Rouge" is no less unique. When I first spoke with Mika, I realized that ordinary essential oils wouldn't suffice (laughs). After all, it's a scent that "instantly awakens potential."

ChicoImagine opening your door early one morning in Paris, stepping out into a snow-covered city, the air crisp and sharp, a feeling of "tightness." This "tightening" sensation is the crisp impression you get when smelling "Paris Neige," and the "edges" of violet achieve that. So, even if the scent isn't immediately appealing on its own, when added to "Paris Neige," it makes perfect sense.

Scents enter through the olfactory sense, reach the cerebrum, and trigger psychological and physiological effects. Therefore, our primary goal for this blended oil was to dock Mika's desired efficacy of "I want to be like this" with its scent. This made the selection of essential oils incredibly important, and I believe we chose ingredients with a very high degree of aromatic precision.

Mika Ninagawa × SHIGETA Collaboration Oil "VOYAGE BY MIKA NINAGAWA" Released!

The Order: An Oil to Create "Your Best Self, Always" (3)

For Those Who Want to Expand Their Potential and Always Be Their Best Selves

—Chico, you conducted something like a profiling session, delving into Mika's thoughts based on her words. What are your impressions?

ChicoI was reminded of how independent she is. And what's at her core is her work; that's her axis. That's very clear. People often say she doesn't distinguish between work and personal life, but it's a bit different. Her basic way of life is "on." Then, the "off" time exists to enhance her performance. It's precisely the "zero gravity" for expanding her potential. Therefore, I believe Mika is perfectly encapsulated in these three oils.

NinagawaYes. No more, no less. Two wasn't enough, and if she had said, "Let's make four," I don't think I could have come up with them. Most importantly, the task of "translating" all the words I conveyed into "scent" is something only Chico could have done. It's truly amazing. I admire her. And I'm envious. Visuals are 2D, so they offer a flat perspective. In contrast, scents and music fill everything in 360 degrees, so a job that can do that seems fascinating. I'm truly envious.

—For you, Mika Ninagawa, a long-time SHIGETA oil user, "VOYAGE BY MIKA NINAGAWA" has become the ultimate oil, even more so than before.

NinagawaYes. SHIGETA oils are also "rescue oils" for me, so I bring them to challenging environments. And if I see others struggling, I share them. I quickly apply it, and we all sigh (laughs). Especially onfilm sets,they were a real lifesaver. To have been involved in creating new scents for SHIGETA oils, which I love so much, feels like a dream. I'm so happy and want to gift them to everyone right away.

Includes 3 Postcards Imagining the Three Scents

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