What took you from hair to make-up? Well, I started as a hair colourist in Japan. Hair came first and then make-up. I then realized that it’s good to have a base in both, especially since make-up is the language of photography. It’s very specific for editorial. When I first got signed to Shu Uemura, I took my time with makeup at first. Then, I got quicker. What is your inspiration? I get inspired by researching fashion history, world events, and cinema. Today, I got these postcards for my girlfriend, of Audrey Hepburn. I also love things in nature, like precious stones and flowers. I love the fragrance of a flower, its contrast of softness and lines, its vivid colour...no wonder flowers have sex appeal for the bees. So you’re in the game, what’s it like being a team player? On the runway, it’s a lot of work. But, I like collaborating and I’m a good listener, so that helps. During Fashion Week, I’d check the faces of 900 models, and by mid-week, I’d breakdown. It’s all about staying focused and appreciating the amazing people in the industry. When I moved to Toronto, Redken led me to Ford, and now I try to give back. Any advice for someone getting into the profession? First, you need to gain some stability before you can make room for creativity. In the industry, everything is last minute and you need to be able to take risks. What does the future hold for Taca? I want to bring Tokyo to Toronto, and Toronto to Tokyo. I also want to show people that we can make it here. Toronto has a big history, like the pretty punk movement. And I want to stream more into male grooming.
words: Iddie Fourka photos: Mai Ismail