Noriko Takayama is a super creative hair stylist whose most recent shoots for Cooler include the True Grit story we shot on a London rooftop. But in the Cooler Folio series we’d like to show you the things that our image makers, the photographers, stylists, set designers and hair and make up people of this world, get up to when they’re not working for us.

interview by Britta Burger

What made you want to become a hair stylist?

I used to love crafts when I was small. I used to make play houses, sculptural objects, and I used to sew. I was interested in sculpture and architecture, but ended up doing something quite different.

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about your own look or do you mainly concentrate on creating looks for other people? 

It’s more about the whole picture. I have to think about all the elements I use to make the whole picture strong.

Who’d be in your dream shoot team?

I’d love to work with [fashion photographer] Steven Meisel!!

You told me once that you’re a big fan of Haruki Murakami. Does his literature inspire your work?

I’m not sure if it’s reflected in my work but I like a philosophical element in hair styling and in the whole picture.

What else inspires you?

Everything on the day, weather, wind, moisture, scenery etc.

Do you feel growing up in Japan has influenced your work?

I cannot say no.

What made you decide to come to London?

My boss and my previous life.

How would you describe your style as a hair artist?

Philosophical

How would you describe your personal style?

Comfortable & inspiring

What would the world look like if you had total control over how people dress and do their hair and makeup?

Super classic and quality oriented.

Find more of Noriko’s work on her site.