About Naho Tsukada
Marj Kleinman Photography
Born and Raised (and Trained) in Japan
I was born and raised in a small town in Aichi, Japan, in a house surrounded by fields of rice. As a child I always loved getting my hair cut at a hair salon in my town called Yachiyo Soeur. I loved it so much I started working there when I was in high school. I went on to cosmetology school in Nagoya (the biggest city in Aichi) and upon graduation began working at a salon in the city.
It was during my time at this salon that I was given the opportunity to visit New York City for the first time. My boss asked me to take videos for an upcoming hair show, which I did in two days in NY. Until then I had never taken an interest in big cities, but I was captivated by the diversity of New York and made a vow to return for longer than two days. I left the salon and returned to the US for three months to see New York and travel around the country by Amtrak.
When the three months ended, I moved back to my hometown and began working on the bridal business side of my first salon Yachiyo Soeur. I learned bridal hair and makeup, dress styling, as well as the traditional dress, hair and makeup for Japanese-style kimono weddings.
But the whole time back in Japan, I was feeling the tug to return to New York. I didn't want to just visit, I wanted to live and work in the city, learning about all different types of hair. I also wanted to learn English. In November 2006, I finally decided to return to New York for six months.
Working at Dvir Salon in Brooklyn
A month after I moved to New York, I found an ad for Dvir Salon in Brooklyn. I lived in Queens then and didn't even know where Brooklyn was. All I can say is that I had a feeling I would want to work there. I still think it’s the best choice I could have made.
I didn't speak English then and couldn't call the salon, so I visited the salon in person. I met the owner Dvir and told him, “I don't speak English but I know how to do hair.” After I showed him my work, Dvir hired me and said, "Don't say you don't speak English. If you want to learn English, just keep talking.” He was so right.
Dvir had just opened the salon six months prior, and it was a tiny, cozy space with just three chairs. (The salon has since moved to a bigger space next door.)
Brooklyn was so different then. I remember my local clients saying, “I didn't think I could get a good haircut in Brooklyn!" A lot of people also told me, “You moved all the way from Japan. Why do you want to work in Brooklyn? You have to be in Manhattan." But I fell in love with Brooklyn and I loved working at Dvir Salon.
While working at the salon, I also enrolled in makeup school. I'd studied makeup in Japan, but wanted to learn about makeup for all the different skin types.
After my initial six months were up, I was still struggling with my English and was still adapting to my new life in the US, so I decided to stay. I slowly began to grow my clientele, and also began working for fashion photo shoots and at New York Fashion Week.
Around 2010, Brooklyn weddings began to rise in popularity and I was able to use my skills in hair and makeup for brides and bridal parties. I’d trained vigorously for it in Japan and knew I was good at it.
Me, Currently
I now work as manager and stylist at Dvir Salon, which moved to a larger space in 2009. During the global pandemic, I began to teach hair styling up-dos and makeup online.
I love doing hair, but also truly enjoy building relationships with my clients. I want all of my clients to look and feel good from the inside out after they see me. Some even say they come to the salon more out of a hope to feel uplifted, rather than the need for a cut or color. I love that. (But I’m also working on developing new styles that will surprise and delight my clients!)
I also enjoy helping other stylists and assistants improve their techniques. I myself learned so much from senior stylists in Japan and from Dvir, I would love to help others learn the way I was lucky enough to do.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my toddler son, and taking walks with my dog Momo, who also rides with me on my bike to work every day. You’ll also find me playing the piano, drawing, jogging, scuba diving and traveling (when we can travel again).
Thanks so much for reading! I’m so happy you’re here.
