Dreams Really Do Come True – Yuki Kano

4 years ago we featured a bright up and coming young star called Yuki Kano and since that time she has won multiple awards, is globally renowned for her unique approach and love of traditional barbering techniques, not to mention a member of the Wahl Japan Education Team who lives and works in Sydney Australia.

Starting her journey in hairdressing with TONI&GUY, she quickly realised her love for cutting short hair and men’s hair. “I felt that I really needed to add traditional barbering skills to take me to the next level in my work and as an educator,” says Yuki.

And that she did! We spoke to Yuki while she was travelling overseas recently about what’s been happening over the past few years and what she has set her sight on for the future.

Some years ago, you met Kevin Luchman, awardwinning London based barber/men’s stylist and photographer renowned for his blend of traditional barbering and high-end male hairdressing. What effect did this meeting have on you?

I always enjoy meeting with like-minded people, and Kevin was the one of them. I met Kevin when he came to Sydney, giving me my first experience with barbering techniques, and I knew from that moment on, I wanted to perfect them. I respect him for his super friendly personality and his positive attitude towards life as he always challenges himself with many things. He reminds me to stay humble and also positive and I think of him as a perfect role model for any educator.

Having travelled to the UK, Europe, US and Asia to educate, how has this influenced you and how do you adapt to the various audiences in different countries?

I really enjoy travelling to different countries because each country has their own style and culture which inspires me a lot. Since I’ve been traveling, I think I am getting very good at adopting different cultures and audiences. The important thing is to respect varying cultures and philosophy, be open minded and not judgemental.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO RESPECT VARYING CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHY, BE OPEN MINDED AND NOT JUDGEMENTAL.

Having worked for TONI&GUY, knowing the sad loss of CEO Dennis Langford earlier this year, what influence did he have on your career?

Dennis was actually like my hairdressing dad. He had noticed me from day one at the TONI&GUY academy and he saw me grow as a hairdresser and barber. I learned so much from him. His ‘presentation skills course’ was phenomenal and every time I got stuck, I would often go to see him for advice. He taught me the importance of being yourself, being positive and surrounded by like-minded people. After I left TONI&GUY, I didn’t see him often, however he always kept his door open for me and when we did cross paths, he always told me how much he continued to enjoy watching my hairdressing journey. I miss him. I wish I could tell him that I’m in Japan now and doing education for Wahl. He would have been so excited to hear my stories.

Do you think your hairdressing background and training has assisted you in your barbering?

Definitely! I feel grateful to have had a TONI&GUY background, which is very technical with its terminology and methodology. This became my strength and therefore it is very natural and almost easy for me to combine different techniques and design into new haircuts. Also it helps me a lot when I’m teaching as I am able to explain and communicate my techniques with the students.

When we spoke last. One of your dreams was to work for Wahl Education. Congrats! How did this come about and what does your role entail?

Thank you so much for remembering. I always wanted to be an Educator for Wahl, and when I went to Japan to compete at a Barber Battle in 2019, I had the chance to meet Masa Kawakami (the leader of the Wahl Education Team) and Ken Tajiri (the Managing Director of Wahl Japan). I let them know that I really wanted to be part of the education team. And the rest is history. I’ve learned that we don’t have to be scared to ask people if you really want something. Worst case scenario, they can say “No”, and so you have nothing to lose. You will be surprised by what life brings you. My role is delivering Wahl education and seminars either to small venues like salons and barbers or to huge venues such as the hair trade shows and thank goodness I can now travel again to different countries after Covid. Also, I’m getting involved with the selection process for the Wahl brand ambassadors and members of Wahl Education Team members for Wahl Japan. I am also getting involved with some new product developments which is also very exciting.

You are currently in Japan. What are you doing there?

I’m in Japan for Wahl Japan working at various hair shows and seminars. The Japanese barber industry is growing so quickly at the moment that there are so many teaching opportunities here and I love to challenge myself via teaching in Japan. Also, I could not see my parents for 3 years since Covid, and my sisters family for 6 years, so I am enjoying spending time with my family at the same time as working which is really amazing.

Do you have a favourite Wahl tool and if so what is it and why?

This is a really good question, and I have often been asked. It is not easy to choose only one favourite Wahl tool, because each clipper has different features, so I LOVE THEM ALL…. I really do! I use clippers the same way an artist uses their paintbrushes. Each one creating different strokes, meaning I use lots of them when I create a haircut. However, if I have to mention one Wahl tool, I have been really into the “All-in-One Blade” since 2019. It has changed my hairdressing and barbering life. It is a texturising blade, and similar to the razor but not exactly the same. It is a very unique blade and I highly recommended them!

What are your thoughts on the current gender debate at the moment especially in barbering, and what has traditionally been known as ‘Men’s Hairdressing’?

In society, generally gender boundaries are problematic for me and I personally don’t relate to the concept. For me, it is about creating something this person loves to wear. I believe the same can be said about the person who is holding the clippers and scissors. If you love what you are doing, it doesn’t matter if you’re female or male. I think gender debates are really interesting. For me Australia is a very forward-thinking country as people are very aware and accepting of gender topics. At the moment, Unity and crossover of Hairdressing and Barbering is happening. Hairdressers are mastering fading techniques, and Barbers are learning long hair and colours which is creating new trends and bringing the industry forward to the next level. With all that in mind, I think it is more adoptable to describe barbering as being a “short hair specialist’ (more focused on the technique itself) instead of using the gender boundaries.

What personal projects, to further your reach and career, are you working on at the moment?

I’m learning and practicing editing photos and videos at the moment so hopefully I can master that and I’m also collaborating with different hairdressers and barbers and doing lots of new projects such as education events as well as filming education videos.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?

I will be based in Sydney but I would still love to travel to different countries doing hair (could be education, photoshoots etc) and meet people. I am really interested in talking to people and listening to their life experiences. I would like to create text books and publish them, and while it may seem complicated and not easy, just like last time, if I say it in this article then I really have to make it happen. Hahaha!

SPEED DATE

Favourite Destination: London and Tokyo

Favourite Food: I love Thai food!!!!

Favourite Drink: I love coffee, XPA, Cab Sav

Music I’m currently listening to: 90s MUSIC

If I wasn’t a hairdresser/barber I would be a: Photographer

2 celebs I’d love to cut their hair: Elliot Page and Ruby Rose

To follow Yuki on IG and Youtube: Instagram: @yukikano YouTube: www.youtube.com/Yukikano

Yuki is heavily involved in the relaunch of the Wahl Australia education platform. This is coming soon – keep an eye out on the Wahl Professional socials: FB: Wahl Professional Ausralia IG: @wahlproaus