Masayuki MOGI started his career at 22 in London, Flint made him his assistant art director in 44 Sloane street in 1976(and told him to slow down) .In 1977, He went on to become art director of the Manchester salon, England and one of Sassoon's best.
Mogi,
Hi Mogi. Its great to see you after over thirty years. Just a few questions …
How did you get to Sassoon’s from Japan?
I never came directly to London. I went to study at a hairdressing school in San Francisco. While I was there I went to see a show that was done by some really good looking individuals that worked for Vidal Sassoons. I was surprised by their confidence. In fact while they were working, some of the audience was talking and it caused them to loose concentration so one of them shouted at the people to just leave. They said either you leave or we leave. I was shocked and thought “What confidence” I would like to talk to them. So I went back stage and asked them how it was possible to learn their techniques. They told me that if I wanted to learn, then it would be better that I went to London as it would not be possible to do that type of work in San Francisco. Remember it was 1969 and we were talking about the geometrics. So he took of for London soon after. "I went to the Sassoon’s head office and asked for a job but they said that I would have to do a course first. So I went to the school in Davies Mews and did a three month course. My great problem was getting a work permit as in those days permission to work in England was very difficult. After the three months Jason Peller gave me a great hand in helping me find a job and sent me to see some friends of his but without a work permit it was impossible. I finally found a job with Steiner on the Cruse Liners I had to go back to Japan and wait for the Work permit to come thorough. I got married while I was back in Japan and you can imagine what my in-laws thought about my work situation when I had to tell them that I did not have a job at the moment and who knows when the permit will come through. But eight weeks later it arrived and a few days later we were off to London. I worked for two years with that company and then it was time to try again for VIDAL SASSSOONS".
What was your best memory at Sassoons.
"It was the show I did with the team at the Wembley show in 1978. I later became assistant to Haich and some time later Art director myself of the South Moulton street salon.
My first wage packet was 5 pounds a week.
While I was training to be a stylist a Sassoon’s I had to make a living as I was not paid, so I used to work evenings as a singer in a Japanese restaurant. The money was good but I had learned to appreciate what money really meant in those days.
My wife has always given me good advice and she told me Mogi? You have to go and learn from Museums and have to have a life so its time to move on".

MOGI has an attic culture studio (Atelier)with many wonderful Art books and a kitchen and place to design cloths and get a sense of modern culture. Its his "ART RETREAT".
I met Mogi at his atelier over a wonderful dinner with some of his very good international friends. One was a professor of the Japanese language and his beautiful wife from Thailand and a girl from France with Vietnam roots, another friend of his with perfect French. A few others too! A truly international scene that evening!
He has a salon very close bye and bicycles around and looks around 30 years old. With his multi colored hairstyle.
He gave me his new Fashion and art culture Magazine thats arrived at the thirtyth edition called +ING.