Time with the Beetle Cabriolet and a Beloved Dog | Volkswagen

Series | Part 2 of 3

Time Spent with The Beetle Cabriolet and My Beloved Dog

"I believe that just as we exhale and then inhale, there is focus in our work because we have moments of release," says Michiko Fujiwara. Fujiwara's days are a whirlwind of magazine and advertising shoots, book writing, and media interviews. In the brief intervals between these demanding tasks, she takes her beloved dog, Alf (a Polish Lowland Sheepdog), for a drive in The Beetle Cabriolet to a seaside park with ocean views. Here's how Fujiwara spends her precious moments of downtime.

Photographs by Masaya AbeText by Mak Shibata

Downtime for Release, Uptime for Focus

Her expression is entirely different from the composed demeanor she carries in the studio. Wearing a comfortable linen coat that billows in the sea breeze, she is in denim, playing with her dog, Alf. Her face is relaxed, soft. Fujiwara walks towards the sea, accompanied by Alf, as she leaves The Beetle Cabriolet, painted a sky-blue, parked. Alf, with his long white fur swaying, looks up at Fujiwara frequently, an endearing sight.

"Alf is a bit timid, so he checks with me to see if I'm okay (laughs). He's affectionate, mischievous, and a little clumsy. We sleep together every night, but when I wake up in the morning, it's Alf who's using my pillow (laughs). Alf shows me sides of myself I didn't know. He brings out a maternal instinct that I find incredibly endearing, and his expressions when I've gotten angry at him make me realize that while I can control my emotions at work, I have this other side to me."

The Beetle Cabriolet meets FUJIWARA Michiko 02

The Beetle Cabriolet meets FUJIWARA Michiko 03

On weekends, she visits her villa in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, with her husband and Alf. On weekdays, she often takes Alf for walks in the park, driving him there in the car.

"To be able to concentrate deeply on one thing, you need downtime. Perhaps it's because of my profession as a hair and makeup artist, but I've naturally developed the habit of alternating between intense focus and relaxation in short bursts. For example, I wake up at 5:30 AM and cycle through household chores, writing, bathing, and yoga. It's the same when I'm doing makeup. I focus intensely on eye makeup, and by the time I get to blush, I'm in a more relaxed state."

Fujiwara is seen talking innocently to Alf in the car under the blue sky. Perhaps Alf and The Beetle Cabriolet play a role in her cherished moments of relaxation.

＜Click here for the first installment of the series＞
Why Michiko Fujiwara Bought The Beetle Cabriolet

Series | Part 2 of 3

Time Spent with The Beetle Cabriolet and My Beloved Dog (2)

Trust Your Intuition: "I Like This"

When she was 38 and incredibly busy with work, Fujiwara got a dog. It all started with a small coincidence.

"On my way home from a shoot, a stylist who owned a dog invited me to a pet shop. That's where I met a cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel... I hadn't planned on getting a dog when I left home that day, but I ended up buying the Cavalier and everything it needed. I thought, 'What am I going to do when I'm this busy with work?' (laughs). I always go by intuition. I acquire something because I think, 'This is good,' or 'I like this,' and then figure out the details later."

Fujiwara acts instantly on things that resonate with her senses. She doesn't hesitate or get stuck overthinking. These experiences have shaped her unique style.

The Beetle Cabriolet meets FUJIWARA Michiko 05

The Beetle Cabriolet meets FUJIWARA Michiko 06

"I think women should feel free to choose a car just as they choose their fashion and makeup. This blue on The Beetle Cabriolet, for instance, makes you feel excited, doesn't it? Yes, you can choose a color that lifts your spirits just by looking at it, or you can aspire to be someone who looks good in a slightly more sophisticated color. Sometimes, objects can elevate us."

For example, encountering an open-top car like The Beetle Cabriolet, painted in a vibrant blue, can inspire a desire to head towards the sea or the sky, fostering a more open lifestyle. A single car can be the catalyst for such a transformation.

Working Women Should Have a Dog and a Car

The Beetle Cabriolet meets FUJIWARA Michiko 07

"Getting a dog or owning a car – working women might hesitate, but once you 'decide,' things surprisingly open up. You might think owning a dog limits your range of activities, but it's also wonderful to have a companion waiting for you when you return home, and it helps you discover emotions you didn't know you had. It's similar with cars; you might worry about parking or maintenance, but the joy you get outweighs those concerns. The comfort of an open-top car, feeling one with the wind, the changing scenery – it expands not just your radius of movement, but your horizons."

Fujiwara recalls chasing a beautiful sunset by car to Shonan during her busy thirties. Owning a car that allows you to express yourself and, at times, to break free, might be akin to gaining a fun and reliable partner.

Michiko Fujiwara
Hair and Makeup Artist. Representative of La Donna. Handles hair and makeup for magazines and advertisements. Appears on TV and radio, in commercials, and gives lectures. Active in a wide range of fields as an advisor for cosmetics and fashion. Author of numerous books, including 'Perfect Make & Hair Bible' (Kodansha), 'New Book of Life Wisdom 5: Happy Women Dress Differently!' (Shogakukan), 'Otona Run' (Kodansha), a running book for adults and beginners, and 'Change Your Life with a Beautiful Morning' (Gentosha). LA DONNA OFFICIAL SITE http://www.ladonna-inc.jp