In Tokyo, you can wear these every night - in other cities, there will soon be Carnival. How about false eyelashes by Kakuyasu Uchiide! The brilliant Japanese head make-up artist of renowned Shu Uemura cosmetics will give you beauty obsessed people a tour through his current false eyelash collection for instant transformation into a mysterious Egyptian princess, an extravagant bird or a magical wood elf… We are not being silly here. PingMag spoke also to Uchiide about the perfectionist standards of beauty in Japan.
Written by Sabrina Morrison
What is your earliest memory of wanting to be a make-up artist?
Originally I wanted to be more a part of the fashion industry. However, when I entered the company and met Mr. Shu Uemura, it changed. His business style was unique, unconventional and different from others at that time. He always wanted to capture not only one side of beauty but also the whole picture, including fashion.
What is so special to you about a woman’s eyelashes ?
False eyelashes are one of the easiest ways to bring out a woman’s attractiveness.
No, it’s not a haute couture caterpillar: it’s a set of long volume false eyelashes. Aw! © Shu Uemura.
Such a small accessory like feather lashes seem to give a woman’s face a kind of creature-like aura - transform her into a bird…
Of course! The feather lashes would make you change dramatically. Our lash collection can be applied to any situation - from natural to dramatic.
Interesting what that might also imply about our perception of beauty - are we drawn to an image of beauty that resembles us of archaic nature, possibly?
I like more the idea that cosmetics or make-up is an art of daily life. And there are many things we get impressed of in everyday life - everything surrounding me can be inspiration.
Then, what would be your definition of beauty?
Simple but dramatic. Something everybody can feel.
By applying make-up on a face, you transform it into something new. Is that the exciting part for you - and why?
Make-up is to bring out the individual beauty, not to create a different person. Discovering new facets of the face is exciting for me as a treasure hunt.
One of your lash sets [above] uses gold leaf on black. This reminds me of a traditional Nihonga painting that is prevalent with gold leaf and sumi. Were you inspired of these?
Close. When I was young, I was inspired by Japanese lacquer, the so-called Wajima-nuri. I used to live in the Ishikawa prefecture and Wajima-nuri is one of the specialties there.
Abba’s disko glimmer delight: “Blunt Blue” for a bit of 70’s chic to your eyes. © Shu Uemura
Turn around, fluffy eyes… for a soft touch to your face. © Shu Uemura
Interesting! Also, I love your “Lucent Sunshine” clear orange lashes! [see main pic] How original to suggest make-up under the eyes but without applying any!
I got the idea at the shooting when I saw the shadows of the eyelashes underneath the model’s eyes. Even while applying the actual make-up, I always try to find a beautiful moment on the face.
It may be no coincidence that these lashes compliment this season’s collections that continue 60’s retro glamour. How much did this era influence you?
I have an impression that this was the era of young power: We could see many experimental approaches in the fashion industry. In this sense, I have the same spirit now.
Regarding the Japanese market which aims especially on men as well: Will you be developing men`s lines in the future?
We don’t have a specific line for men’s cosmetics at the moment because all of our products are unisex. But in the future…
What is your perception: Did the ideals of beauty in Japan change since you started? Especially since you work overseas and can view Japanese society from the outside…
It seems Japanese always try to create the perfect beauty and this sometimes looks too artificial. In this point, there was no change since I started working. For me, Japanese need more incompleteness.
Japanese youth culture is a powerful market well watched overseas. How do you see the Japanese youth and their fashion obsession today?
Being an extreme thing is not so good. I like young people who are trying to find their originality through fashion and make-up that is suitable for their income.
In an ageing society, how will fashion change in the future?
I really look forward to people in their 40s to 50s, they know how to enjoy fashion. And I also look forward to people over 60 for inspiration.
We would love to hear an anecdote of your great work experience: What was a very interesting moment while working overseas at fashion shows, with the likes of Lagerfeld and Gaultier?
I was really impressed by Mr. Armani. Now it’s a known fact that he is very strict in every detail, but I didn’t know that before. Being backstage, I understood that fashion designers’ assistants organise everything in time. However, I was interested in how Giorgio Armani did it all. And of course, he directly checked the model’s make-up that I had done.
The next logical step from the glitter make-up of the 1990’s, tiny Swarovski crystals can definitely add a magical, pixie dust effect to your eyes. © Shu Uemura
What make-up technology would you like someone to create?
Transparent foundation.
As this eyelash collection is so artful: Would you like to collaborate with any artist or musician or painter in the future?
I can’t tell you yet, but we’re preparing something exciting for 2008.
Thank you, Kakuyasu Uchiide of Shu Uemura. For all of you stylish folks, now get in touch with your inner bird!
22 Comments
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awesome. false eyelashes are one of my favorite ways to add a little dash of fun to the everyday, or the icing on the cake to the already fabulous!
Posted by: fuhshoko on January 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Too fabulous! I love the first orange and black pair.
Posted by: Aimee on January 24th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Beautiful,they are really amazing.
I really like the fluffy ones, they look so magical.
Posted by: Bell on January 24th, 2008 at 9:58 am
[...] I especially like the first pair. I thought some of you guys would enjoy pics and interview. PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things”
Posted by: Interesting Lash Falsies Article - Shu Uemura - Specktra.Net on January 24th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Too good,
Specially gold one!
Posted by: Paavani on January 24th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
chou kawaii !
Posted by: Aï-Hz on January 24th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
wow these are beautiful!
make-up art is sadly somewhat hidden form of art, I wish you’d see more of it…in everyday life as well in magazines and adverts!
Posted by: Amir on January 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
That’s cool.
Posted by: Akai on January 25th, 2008 at 6:41 am
the punk pair is just simply spot-on perfect
Posted by: rach on January 25th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
those are pretty
Posted by: angellesmelle on January 27th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Avant garde eyelashes! Awesome. I used to put on fashion shows and was always looking for something like this…now I know where to get it!
Posted by: Arctic Oak on January 28th, 2008 at 4:41 am
[...] via PingMag [...]
Posted by: Arctic Oak » Blog Archive » Kakuyasu Uchiide’s Eyelashes on January 30th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
O.M.G.
I want some!!!!!!!!!
NOW.
Even just to keep & not use…
Extravagant, extraordinary, eyelash works of art.
Love it.
Posted by: emmap@futurenatural.com on February 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Amazing!!!
I hope I can create one!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on February 2nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
[...] Read [...]
Posted by: Dramatic Look with Shu Uemura’s Kakuyasu Uchiide False Eyelashes — StyleFrizz on February 8th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Hi, can we feature your article in our website? can we also grab 2-3 photos? we can send you our article to your email for approval. please let me know as we plan to launch on mid-March. The website focuses on food, travel and fashion and we think that the eyelashes are perfect. Please let me know. Thanks! [vimags21@yahoo.com]
Posted by: vimags on March 3rd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
[...] Uemura’s eyelashes first caught my eye when they appeared on PingMag. I was happy to find that dutch fashion designers, Viktor & Rolf, have designed lashes for Shu [...]
Posted by: Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura Eyelashes | [bew] on July 24th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Please could you tell me where I can purchse these beautiful lashes
dinagiaccio@bigpond.com
Dina
Posted by: Dina Giaccio on September 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
those are soooo coool! i want some!
Posted by: natural makeup on October 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[...] marvelled at the magnificent lashes of Shu Uemura for a while now and was delighted to find an interview with Kakuyasu Uchiide, make up artist, at Ping [...]
Posted by: CODE FOR SOMETHING › TINY FORESTS on October 17th, 2008 at 6:19 am
those are the tackiest things ive ever seen… and who would buy eyelashes with gold on them
Posted by: nunya on November 21st, 2008 at 8:56 am
[...] Hej kära vänner, hoppas allt är bra! Som ni troligtvis redan vet så är det japanska modet känt för att vara annorlunda och extremt. I min jakt på nya trender hittade jag precis en artikel från den brillianta make-up artisten, Kakuyasu Uchiide. Nedan finner du några av hans vackra verk och sminkguiden hittar du här. [...]
Posted by: Sminkguide till häftiga ögonfransar | StyleCenter on May 27th, 2009 at 8:40 pm