Chung-Yang Su, also known as Yoshi, never thought he would be a hairdresser. Now, working as the Style Director and as a member of the Rokk Ebony Creative Team, Yoshi is on Wella’s radar as the next big thing. We caught up with Yoshi to find out about his signature style, what he secretly finds overrated and his favourite thing about Wella.
TJ: Describe your signature style (fashion and hair).
CYS: The Avant Garde style would have to be my preferred style and it’s something I’ve always been fascinated by.
TJ: If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or visit the future?
CYS: I’d do both. To me fashion is a creation from ideas of the past blended with a view of the future. I have always found the style of ancient times fascinating and want to know how all the styles were created. Also I think we all want to know what the future trends would be.
TJ: What’s something everyone else loves that you secretly find overrated?
CYS: “Celebrity Style”, it’s the hairdresser, make-up artist and stylist who create the look, rarely the celebrity.
TJ: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
CYS: I don’t plan anything too far ahead, for me it’s more about what I’ve got now. Though if anything is planned it would be to create more work that is truly my own style.
TJ: Can you tell us about how you first got into hairdressing?
CYS: I never thought that I would be a hairdresser. In school I studied graphic design and art, after I graduated I was working as make-up artist for a short time but I didn’t really enjoy it. After that I started working in a hair salon as a temporary job but I realised I could use the skills I had learned in school in this job. It also meant that I could work in the fashion industry which was something I’ve always want to do.
TJ: What is your favourite thing about the hair industry?
CYS: Currently I’m working for Rokk Ebony as a Style Director and as a member of the Rokk Ebony Creative Team that presents the seasonal hair looks and photo shoots as well as session work for the salon. I use the hair competitions to challenge myself to create more new styles and new ideas. I love working in the hair industry as it allows me to be creative in my own way.
TJ: Tell us about one of your career highlights.
CYS: This was my second time wining Wella Trend Vision Gold at a national level, and 2015 was a very emotional year for me with my Mum passing away before the national Wella Trend Vision competition, so for me to win Gold and dedicate it to her memory means everything to me.
TJ: What is your favourite style to create?
CYS: Avant Garde – My imagination can run free with ideas and concepts, then I need to push my skill further to make my envisioned looks a reality.
TJ: If you could facilitate one change in the hair industry, what would it be?
CYS: To show stylists that they can find inspiration in everything around them if they look.
TJ: If you could leave our audience with one piece of advice, what would it be?
CYS: Be individual and believe in yourself.
TJ: Name your favourite WELLA product and why.
CYS: Wella EIMI Dry Me, gives beautiful long lasting volume and soft texture everyone loves.
TJ: What is your favourite thing about the brand?
CYS: It’s free, individual and creative.
TJ: Why do you choose to identify with WELLA professionals?
CYS: I’ve always worked with Wella, it’s like a perfect brush for the artist, you can’t live without it.
TJ: What is the most popular WELLA product and why?
CYS: The entire Wella colour range, because everyone needs hair beautifully coloured to finish the style.
TJ: What does being a WELLA Professional stylist mean to you?
CYS: I have used Wella since I was an apprentice. The first Gold award I won back in 2007 was Wella Trend Vision, and every year I compete, not only just for Wella Trend Vision, but in every other competition and every piece of award winning work I have created, it was with Wella products. Being a Wella Professional stylist has been my entire hairdressing journey.
– TJ