Meet Tokyostylez, Wig Maker to the Stars like Naomi Campbell and Gabrielle Union
Instagram / @tokyostylez
If Beyonce and Edward Scissorhands had a love child, it would be Williams Jackson, better known as Tokyostylez. Using rhythmic hair-flips and infectious dance moves to showcase his otherworldly wig creations on Instagram, the Washington D.C. based hairstylist and wigmaker has cultivated an audience of nearly half a million. Women clamor for this 25 year old’s custom “unit” (a.k.a. weave or wig) or to sit in his chair to experience his hairstyling wizardry. Tokyostylez talked to Yahoo Style about his celebrity clientele including Naomi Campbell, Lil Kim and Gabrielle Union, how making wigs for cancer patients grew into a bigger business and his favorite type of hair right now? Cambodian.
Instagram / @tokyostylez
Yahoo Style: How did you get into doing hair?
Tokystylez: I started in Omaha. I was living with my father in because my mom was in jail. So I stepped up to the plate to take care of my sister. I soon found out that I was good at making her look decent and I also became more fascinated with hair. She was my very first customer, and then her friends wanted to come to me too to get their done. Then all of my mom’s friends came, and the word just spread. It was pretty much word of mouth. But once I posted my work on Instagram, it just started taking over.
YS: How did you take your career to the next level?
T: Then I moved to Atlanta, I felt like this is where I can pursue my dreams. There were not that many opportunities for me in Omaha. It was a great start, but didn’t go as planned. So I moved to DC. That’s where I became Tokyostylez.
YS: Tell us how that name came about.
T: I use to be a dancer and choreographer. In that circle, people said: oh you look like you got a bit of Asian in you, so they called me Tokyo. I just went with it. So once I started doing hair, I wanted a creative name that stands out. So I added “styles.” But then I was like, let me add a z at the end.
YS: What are the biggest trends, best sellers?
T: I have this unit called the multi blonde—its a mixture of blond hair and different shades of browns. These are all customer order and all hand made by me. They can range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the hair, style, and how much hair the customer wants.
YS: What makes a unit “correct?”
T: The foundation of how it’s installed, the type of hair, the way you color it, etc. They all have to work together. And it should not look like it’s been put on your head. It should look natural.
YS: Who do you work with?
T: Naomi Campbell calls me from time to time and when she’s in town. But she’s always on the go so hard to keep up with her. But when we get together, we make magic.
YS: What’s your favorite type of hair?
T: Right now, I am really into Cambodian hair. And the company (www.myregalhair.com) where I get it from guarantees it to last 3-5 years. The hair costs ranges in quality and can run from about $800-$1200. But that’s the highest quality, completely raw virgin hair for a full head.
YS: How do you care for them?
T: Make sure you wash and condition it. Don’t use harsh chemicals. If you color the hair, make sure you moisturize it. And to keep the hair from tangling, sleep with a silk scarf.
YS: Your Instagram is so engaging! What’s your strategy?
T: I create content so I can be ten steps ahead of everyone else. Normally, when I create a wig, I try to think of something that no one else is doing. So I style the hell out of it, wear and swing it like crazy for the audience. As for music that I use to dub my posts, the wig informs that. Certain wigs remind me of certain types of music. It gives the wig a personality. And the end of the day, it’s a hair performance!
YS: Why did you start selling your wigs?
T: Recently, I started making wigs for cancer patients and started posting them on Instagram. Other women who didn’t have cancer were interested in getting wigs made so that’s how I started.
YS: Whats your ultimate goal?
T; I want to be the next Paul Mitchell. My dream client would be Ciara—love her so much. And of course, Beyonce. You could never go wrong with Mother B.
Instagram / @tokyostylez
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