>ABOUT
Born and raised in Japan, Tomi now lives and works in UK.
While working as a hair stylist in fashion, he started making wigs and head props for shoots flaring his originality to turn his creative idea into shapes.
Quickly his head props become popular among fashion stylists in London and Paris, and soon he became an established and well-respected hair and head prop artist.
In September 2010, he had his first film / photo / performance show of his collection during London fashion week.
Tomi’s appeal has seen him collaborate across many different genres including art, fashion, music, and performance, confirming his place as a true creative across any realm
His style is influenced by 1920-30s Dadaism and surrealism art. He is heavily influenced by assemblage expressionism started after World War II this is a 3 dimensional artistic composition is made from putting together found objects.
He enjoys once-in-a-lifetime encounter with vintage objects and materials that have functional beauty. By observing the beauty of the objects, he put several different materials together creating a new and distinctive piece.
HISTORY
1980 2 born in Ehime, Japan.
2007 6 Moved to London after having worked in hair salons in Japan for 9 years
Started working as a session hair stylist.
While working for editorials and projects, started to make head props.
2009 9 Made some Indian head props and they were used for a launch party of album-release by Riceboy Sleeps (Jonsi from Sigur Ros and Alex)
2009 9 Showcasing his head prop collection in a stall in Liverpool Street antique market.
It was featured by Dazed and Confused.
2009 10 Window display of his selected head props in a boutique START in east London.
2009 10 Bespoke head props for the performances in London and Paris for the conceptual band Irrepressibles
2009 11 Joined Balcony Jump as a first hair and head prop artist
2009 12 Directed the head props for the Cry Out world tour held in Tokyo, Austria, America and UK for the London-based charismatic young performance artists Theo Adams Company.
Worked as a hair stylist for the press release shot by David Sims,
2010 1 Photo exhibition of ‘Japan Avant Garde’ series (inspired by Japanese Geisha) in Claire de Rouen Books, Soho
2010 2 Installation themed Assemblage during London fashion week
2010 3 Cover / article in Australian International art magazine ‘Silvershotz’as Neon O’clock Works
2010 3 Head Props were used for Italian Vogue shot by Steven Meisel
2010 3 Designed bespoke head props for Theo Adams Company’s official video directed by Matthew Jones
2010 4 Showcasing In Utero Collections at a boutique Machine-A
2010 5 Head props used by a stylist Catherine Baba for a documentary film directed by Eva Ionesco
(a daughter of a photographer Irina Ionesco)
2010 5 Head props used for a shoot by Mario Testino
2010 6 Bespoke head props for a German pianist Hauschka for his press photos.
2010 9 Bespoke head props for a photographer/performer Wendy Bevan
Film screened in Rich Mix cinema
Also exhibited in Sub museum Tokyo
2010 9 The first own show titled ‘Déjà vu’ in London Fashion week in unique style composed of portraits, film and performance.
Photos and films were featured in so many magazine / online press.
2010 9 Photo exhibition of Déjà vu at a gallery in East London
2010 10 Head props in stock at shops in London & Tokyo
London
Machine-A, THE LAST TUESDAY SOCIETY , LUNA & CURIOUS , 125 LEDBURY ROAD, START, NOT JUST A LABEL
Tokyo
CANDY, SISTER, SUB MUSEUM.
2010 12 Book exhibition of all the history 2005-2010 as Neon O’clock Works in Sub museum, Tokyo
2011 01 Head Prop exhibition ‘In Utero’ at Candy, Tokyo
2011 02 Joined Femme management Japan