Our Heritage: A Japanese Hair Salon in Orchard, Singapore

Our journey began in 1998, a vision brought to life by Singapore's esteemed celebrity hairstylist, Mr. Shunji Matsuo. We proudly stand as one of the pioneers of Japanese hairstyling in Singapore, with our first hair salon gracing the heart of Orchard at Wellington Building in 1999.

Mr. Matsuo's path was paved with an unwavering dedication to his craft. Trained in the sophisticated techniques of Tokyo, he later followed the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Suga Yusuke – a renowned Japanese hairstylist in New York, celebrated for his work within the fashion industry and as Mrs. Kennedy's trusted stylist. This mentorship led Mr. Matsuo to a remarkable 22-year career in the United States, where he cultivated a prestigious clientele including luminaries like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and collaborated with iconic brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Christian Dior, Vogue, and The New York Times.

Driven by a desire to share his expertise closer to home, Mr. Matsuo returned to Asia, establishing his own salon, bringing with him a wealth of international experience. His passion for the artistry of hair, particularly in the context of fashion, positioned our salon as a key sponsor for Singapore's prominent catwalk presentations, including Singapore Fashion Week. Recognizing the importance of nurturing talent, he inspired our stylists to participate in and excel at prestigious hairstyling competitions, resulting in numerous accolades such as the Goldwell Color Zoom, Shiseido Professional Beauty Innovator Award, and Arimino Photo Presentation Award.

We are also proud to have introduced the revolutionary Japanese Soft Straightening service to Singapore, a signature treatment we have perfected, now sharing our expertise with salons across the region.

Beyond the salon, Mr. Matsuo's heart was deeply committed to making a difference. In 2013, he launched the 'Makeover Magic' show, a heartfelt initiative designed to inspire self-confidence and redefine beauty for the elderly. As a cancer survivor, he understood the transformative power of self-esteem, extending his compassion to fellow cancer patients through empowering makeovers. Even during his own cancer treatments in Kobe, Japan, his dedication to these uplifting projects continued, giving hope and joy to older women and fellow cancer warriors.

Mr. Shunji Matsuo's legacy is one of profound inspiration – a life dedicated to making others happy and encouraging them to embrace their unique beauty. His vision continues to guide us, ensuring our salon remains a place where artistry, compassion, and innovation converge.

Continuing the Legacy: Our Commitment to Excellence and Compassion

Though we mourned the passing of Mr. Shunji Matsuo in 2017, his spirit and vision continue to guide our every endeavor. We are dedicated to upholding his legacy, striving to embody his passion for artistry and his unwavering commitment to our clients, now serving you across three prominent locations in Singapore: our Takashimaya Orchard flagship, Ion Orchard, and Holland Village.

In our pursuit of excellence, we remain at the forefront of the industry, diligently mastering the latest techniques, curating the finest hair care products, and embracing contemporary trends. Our dedication to providing exceptional services, providing exceptional services that nurture both beauty and hair vitality, has been recognized through numerous accolades. We are honored to have received awards for Best Hair Coloring, Best Haircut, Best Perm, Best Treatment, Best Salon for Frizz Control, and Best Stylist from esteemed publications such as Her World, Women's Weekly, and Daily Vanity, as voted by both media and our cherished clients. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and pledge to consistently deliver the highest standards of service.

We also remain committed to Mr. Matsuo's 'Makeover Magic' initiative, extending his compassion through monthly charity haircuts at senior activity centers. We are privileged to contribute our styling expertise to fundraising events for esteemed organizations such as the Breast Cancer Foundation, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National Cancer Centre, Children Cancer Foundation, and the Down Syndrome Association. We firmly believe in the power of giving, finding profound joy in bringing smiles to those we serve and inspiring future generations to embrace philanthropy.

Nurturing the next generation of hairstylists is also a cornerstone of our mission. We collaborate closely with ITE College East, providing invaluable training to their Beauty & Hair Fashion students. Additionally, we partner with Beauty Arts Kobe, offering annual hairstyling training to their students.

Our aspiration is to continue making the hairdressing industry a source of inspiration and purpose for future generations, carrying forward the initiatives and vision of our founder, Mr. Shunji Matsuo. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, suppliers, partners, and especially our dedicated employees, whose collective efforts have shaped Shunji Matsuo into what it is today. Together, let us work towards a brighter, more beautiful future.