1. Born in Japan, Kobe
Born on 8th July 1950 in Kobe, Shunji Matsuo was brought up in a middle-class family. His father, Mr Hirokichi Matsuo, owned a Japanese restaurant in Daimaru department store in Kobe.
2. Building career in America
In 1973, Shunji boarded the plane to Los Angeles later then moved to New York in 1974 working under Mr Suga Yusuke, a celebrity hairdresser and also someone he admired the most.
3. Back to Asia
After 22 years in America, he decided to move back to Asia. He then opened his first salon in Indonesia, Jarkata. In 1998, he moved to Singapore to start his business. He opened the first salon named after himself in Singapore in 1999.
4. Makeover Magic
In 2013, Shunji started the Makeover Magic show in his hometown, Kobe, to inspire elderly and cancer patients to experiment with style. He gave free hair makeovers to encourage them to view beauty in a different way.
5. Being an Artist
He had his very own art exhibition, “Artistic Impression by Shunji Matsuo” at the Japan Creative Centre in November 2014. The exhibition showcased his contribution to hairstyling and his creations on paintings, sculptures and headdresses.
