Neighborhood Portraits
Neighborhood Portraits : Zoey – tomoyo
Zoey is well-known for its creative hairstyles and stylish accents. One of its salons is located in a corner of Daimyo, and it's a popular spot for fashionable, trend-setting individuals, just a short distance from the Forget-me-nots Fukuoka store.
This time, we had the opportunity to interview Tomoyo, a stylist working at Zoey. She's also gaining attention in the fashion world, and we asked her to wear the NIKE Shox Z while we talked about the intersection of her work and fashion, and the background that shaped her current "Tomoyo" style.
fmn: Please tell us about your salon.
tomoyo: We are a beauty salon called Zoey, operating three hair salons, one eye salon, and one dog grooming salon in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture.
fmn: What do you like about this neighborhood?
tomoyo: It has an urban feel, and it's interesting to see more and more stylish girls. I think it's thanks to Forget-me-nots that I get to pick out clothes there. I see a lot of young people wearing great clothes, and the area feels very vibrant.
fmn: What do you think of the Shox Z?
tomoyo: They're so cute! They really catch the eye. They're light, and my feet felt like they were floating the moment I put them on. I'm wearing pink now, but since I often wear black outfits, I don't usually wear pink. But this pink really stands out, and I'm very happy with it.
fmn: What kind of situations do you want to wear the Shox Z in?
tomoyo: I'd love to wear them a lot for work, paired with my usual monochrome outfits.
fmn: What's the most important thing for you when choosing clothes?
tomoyo: I like women's clothing that looks cool and fitted, so I try to incorporate elements that subtly cover my figure even when wearing tight clothes.
fmn: What inspired you to become a beautician?
tomoyo: Actually, I originally wanted to work in fashion, but I realized that hair can change one's look as much as clothes. I really love the before and after of hairstyles. When I was little, I used to go to the beauty salon often and look around, and most of the people there were smiling. Seeing that drew me to become a beautician.
fmn: What kind of clients do you have?
tomoyo: Many of my clients love fashion, so during appointments, we talk more about clothes than hair. I often ask my clients for recommendations on stores to visit, and vice versa—I share the clothes and shoes I've recently bought, and they go check them out. Many of them are highly fashion-conscious, sensitive to trends, and love to dress up.
fmn: If there was a turning point in your career as a beautician, what would it be?
tomoyo: I've had many turning points. Looking back, I wasn't fashionable at all during my assistant days. Zoey taught me the joy of fashion back then. And then, about a year or two after becoming a stylist, when clients started coming to me, many of the clients at Zoey were very stylish. So, I felt like I had to take the lead and be more fashionable myself. That moment, when I awakened to fashion, was probably the biggest turning point. I feel like that's when the "Tomoyo" I am today was created.
fmn: What has recently influenced you or been a source of inspiration?
tomoyo: It was a while ago, but I had the chance to travel abroad (Europe) for the first time. When I saw so many people there who looked like they stepped out of Pinterest or Instagram, it was a real eye-opener to see the people I'd only seen on screens. That experience really influenced me, and it made my approach to hairstyling and choosing clothes even more free and flexible.
fmn: What values do you prioritize in your work?
tomoyo: I value wearing what I like (clothes) because it's how clients see me and how I'm perceived on social media. So, I make an effort to wear good clothes and refine myself.
There was a time when I struggled a lot with my values, especially when I couldn't afford expensive clothes. But my seniors and others taught me that it's important to wear good things, even then. I stuck with that, and I think being able to enjoy myself now is my answer. So, I value fashion as a core principle.
fmn: What kind of person do you consider a strong woman?
tomoyo: I think pursuing what you love and enjoying it becomes a great strength. So, it's not just about how you're perceived, but also about being a strong woman on the inside.
The Shox Z worn in this feature are available at Forget-me-nots in three colors: black, green, and pink. You can purchase them at our online store and each of our physical stores.
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Joined Zoey（@zoey_daimyo） in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture in 2019. Proposes designs that blend into everyday life while expressing a unique worldview.
