I first met Akemi Sone in the fall of 2002.
She was so lively and had such good skill that right after I met her, I decided to become a student at NYBS. But even that wasn’t enough, so I became an assistant to her for two years. She taught me, not only fashion and beauty, but also the manners of the business world and even just how to be a moral person. I know that I am very lucky to have had this opportunity. Currently, not only am I modeling, but I am working as an Actress. I have appeared in the Oscar-nominated, Meryl Streep movie, “The Devil Wears Prada.”
I am sure that the sense and skills that I learned from Ms. Sone, as well as what it is to be an upright person, will continue to serve me well into the future.
I took a make-up seminar at NYBS and was able to meet Ms. Sone face to face. I was so very surprised that someone who was so active in design and fashion in NewYork would listen to and answer me so honestly and openly that I decided to enroll in the school. First, I learned the basics in the 3 month course. At that time, I was working in management in a movie production company. I became fascinated by seeing how an actress could change so much right before your eyes based on the makeup. I thought that this was something that I could study and continue for many years to come. After classes were over, I took special effect makeup classes with Ms. Sone and she even gave criticism and advice on a lot of makeup ideas/techniques that I came up with myself during those classes.
One day, I found out that they were looking for makeup artists for Thriller. When I went and discussed whether she thought that my skills at that time were good enough for the audition, she told me that the traffic signal for work was always green and to get out there and “go, go!”
That was really my first step in becoming a professional special effect makeup artist. Now, I work mainly as a special effect makeup artist in Horror and Suspense movies, and I also work on television dramas and dramatic/love story movies. Because I chose NYBS and met Ms. Sone, my life has changed dramatically; even now, when I have problems, I still contact Ms. Sone.
I learned how to be a professional make-up artist and hair stylist at NYBS.
Not only did I learn the necessary skills, but I even learned the mental side of being a hair / make-up artist.
In 2002, Akemi took the lead in bringing top artists from all over the world to Japan to help with the "Red" collection that NYBS was assisting with. I was privileged to help in showing live, on stage, the back stage workings of a New York collection. That had a very great influence on my life thereafter. I realized that my teacher who has a career as an international fashion designer went far beyond just hair and make-up, but built the essence of total beauty.
It is my dream to reach the professional levels of Akemi Sone. Moreover, though beauty, I want to be able to express the "heart" to my clients and staff. Currently, I am the salon manager of the salon "Manic Panic" in Roppongi, Japan. In addition, I work as a hair / make-up artist for magazines and advertisements. I am extremely thankful for the experiences that I got at NYBS they gave me the confidence that I have now.