Wave 55
Relax in the soft waves of warmth, hospitality and trends
Kenji Ishimoto practices “service with a smile” for each and every customer.
Wave 55 top stylist Kenji Ishimoto and his team started out three years ago with little English and only a few customers. Now, they have a solid clientele who enjoy the friendly atmosphere and great haircuts.
What are the current hairstyle trends?
In New York City, a lot of people still like long hair, and until this last spring, bob-style haircuts were trendy. But now people are growing out their hair to medium-length styles, adding layers or chunky bangs, or chopping it off short. These are also the trends in Japan now.
What are the differences in hairstyles between Japan & the U.S.?
Japanese customers prefer to have a soft, cute look. Even if they want a sexy look, it is still cute. On the other hand, Americans prefer a strong, sexy look, like Madonna or Angelina Jolie. Americans want sexy straight or sexy curls or a sexy bob. But in Japan, if a woman get a bob, she wants it rounded off so it looks cute, regardless of age. In America, women don’t want to look too cute.
Tell us about how you deal with different ethnicities and hair types in New York City.
Hair type and head shape is different for each person. You must change the way you cut the hair depending on those two factors. Asians have a different-shaped head than Americans. The way you add in layers, angle your scissors, etc. is different for each person. You also have to change your scissors and techniques.
What is the most important point in achieving healthy-looking hair?
Shampoo is the most important product you can use on your hair and it’s worth the investment, as cheap shampoos can damage your hair. Shampoo should be chosen by hair type and specific hair needs. Recently, Americans have become more interested in how to take care of their hair and their scalp. Until now, people would just cut off their hair that has been damaged by coloring or bleaching. However, now they are asking about special hair treatments, vitamins and styling tips. They are also asking how to use a hair dryer more effectively so they don’t damage their hair, but give it a natural sheen.
What is the concept of this salon?
We want to provide excellent service and make the customer feel comfortable and bring a smile to their face. It could be through something as simple as how we speak with the customers, give them green tea, show them our excellent cutting and styling techniques or how we do an excellent job from start to finish. We are always trying to improve our skills while keeping in mind the customers’ needs, what suits them and if they can simply create the same hairstyle at home.
Our job is to make the customers happy. But if we are not happy ourselves, then we cannot make the customers happy. When we first opened, we were constantly worried if we could make ends meet. But then we decided that it’s just as important to have fun at our jobs. Now customers tell us that they come here because we are happy and bring positive energy to the salon. You have to smile and have fun and now we’re like a family here.
Co-owned by Ms. Michi Tahara, veteran hair stylist in New York, Wave 55 opened its doors in December 2005. Mr. Ishimoto has lead the all-Japanese stylist team of 6 since its opening. Mr. Ishimoto has plans for the future of Wave 55: Stylists will continue their education and improve their techniques. They wish to do more to bring Japan and the U.S. together, but they have an even bigger dream. While still in the conceptual stages, they want to go and teach hair-cutting techniques in developing countries, such as Viet Nam. A one-time visit will have a minimal impact. So they hope to train the teachers at beauty schools so they can give back for a longer term.
Wave 55 Japanese Hair Salon
1059 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10022
TEL: 212-355-7399
www.wave55salon.com
Hours: Tue-Sat:11am-8pm Sunday: 11am-6pm
