Update: Due to the Coronavirus alert, the following event has been cancelled. An update will follow as soon as it is rescheduled.
Hairstyles and identities are closely related. We choose a hairstyle to express ourselves: our appearance is important to define who we are, attract, disguise, entertain or play a social role. A wig is designed to make a definite impression upon others, but also to conceal the true nature of an individual.
Wearing a wig also allows us to go through an instant transformation: it is fun to create multiple characters that exist within ourselves and it is almost like choosing your outfit of the day from your wardrobe – you can choose whichever color, style or texture you want, to match your mood of the day.
Tomihiro Kono believes wigs have the positive power to influence an individual's personality, and help us find our ideal self. If you agree with him you can join the Japanese hair artist, head prop designer and wig maker at the launch for his new book Personas 111 – The Art of Wig Making 2017-2020 (Konomad Editions) on 15th March at the gender neutral hair salon Vacancy Project in New York (249 East 10th Street; from 5.00pm to 8.00pm).
During the launch there will be a performance featuring Tomihiro Kono and Vacancy's Creative Director Masami Hosono. The launch will be followed by an interactive wig exhibition that will be on at Vacancy until 18th March.
Image credits for this post
Hair | Wigs: Tomihiro Kono @ Julian Watson Agency
Photography: Sayaka Maruyama
Publisher: Konomad Editions