How It All Started

“Chop Chop Chop!” believe it or not these are the key words for spring summer 2008 “it” hairstyle. Couldn’t believe it either, but it’s written all over, and very much visible at the S/S 2008 runways. The question now is, are you ready for the chop? To let go of your well maintained, long, commercial-worthy locks? Well, as a fashion student in Tokyo, I don’t think I am one of those who wouldn’t dare take in the plunge, and so, after a few minutes of browsing through the pages of Vogue Tokyo, I rushed into the chilly winter snow and yes, straight to my 10,000 yen hair dresser right in the heart of Shibuya. Equipped with pictures torn from my Mode et Mode S/S 2009 New York, Milan, Tokyo Collection Fashion Forecast and my ever reliable denshi jisho (electronic dictionary), I did it, I made the chop!

I went home feeling really really really excited with my new hair cut. I felt like a true blue fashionista, being ahead of this soon-to-be-fashion-trend in a few months. Regret? Not even a trace. I know, to grow it back again will take me around a year and a half, but who cares, its not like were in the 90’s were we have to suffer the long wait. Its 2008 and fashion is embedded in every inch of our body and yes even in every strand of our hair. Thank God for hair extensions, by the time this chop trend hits the peak of the fashion cycle, I am sure I will sport my long hair once again. Yes, even if that’s just only 3-4 months from now.

Hair extensions are now very common and well accepted in Manila. However, I am not talking about the hair extensions we know of in Manila. Admit it, these hair extensions cost a lot of money and long hours of being stuck in the salon. For the sake of fashion and beauty, lots of fashionable manilenas go through the ordeal. Well, I believe fashion should be fun and spontaneous, and shouldn’t hurt even a bit.  Curious on how I can have my long hair back before this chop trend goes on the Decline?

Being in Tokyo, made me experience first hand what fast fashion is all about, and I know how hard it is to try to compete in the race, or just even be a part of it. Being a fashion student in the Bunka Fashion College, have to brag a bit but it’s the premiere fashion school not only in Tokyo but in Asia. Our graduates include, Kenzo Takada, and  Yohji Yamamoto, almost all the Japanese designers who made it in the western fashion scene, was produced by our school. Anyway, being in school everyday made me realize how these Japanese do really put a lot of time for fashion and looking good. Can’t really explain it well but my classmates all look like their going on Friday-night-gimmicks everyday. After a few weeks of wearing my Ateneo uniform of baby tees, skinny jeans and havaianas, I realized, that to truly to inhale and understand Japanese fashion or fashion in general, I just have to join them, and be one of them. But to be one of them required a lot of time and thinking. To be able to look as good as they do, I had to wake up at 530 am to have 2 hours of getting ready for school! God it was hard. Clothes were a bit easy, given you have the right pieces, but the hair and make-up? It required time, time, time. Which made me wonder, how do the fashionable Japanese do it?

After having a chat with one of my classmates, she told me, for the make-up its takes practice, but for the hair, she shared to me their secret. Put on hair extensions. No, they are not like the ones we see in Manila. They are literally snapped on in seconds. She told me looking fashionable doesn’t just involve clothes, shoes and accessories, but hair and makeup do play a big role too. She told me of a store she frequently visits in Harajuku. Yes, Harajuku is what Gwen Stefani is talking about in her song ‘harajuku girls” and the inspiration for her clothing line LAMB.

And so I went. Wohhow! I couldn’t believe my eyes but there it was all the hair extensions Ive ever imagined. I went from looking like Jennifer Aniston to Victoria Beckham to Nicole Richie in just a few minutes. I fell in love in an instant! They are not only easy to use but are very affordable too.  I even got to try on the Katie Holmes bangs!

Yes, that’s my secret why I let go of my long hair in an instant! Now, I don’t just coordinate my dress and shoes, but my hairstyle as well. I have the 70’s lioness hair extensions that go with my long gypsy hippy outfits and I also have the short bob ones when I feel like wearing the 60’s MOD Mary Quant mini skirts.  I brought them with me when I went home to visit during my spring break. My friends were all amazed on how easy and fun these hair extensions were. They kept asking me were I bought them. When I said Tokyo, their smiling faces all turned into gloomy frowns.  From there faces, I knew at once that the fashionistas in Manila shouldn’t be deprived of this Japanese secret. And so, after a few months of translations and careful planning, TOKYO POSH (put on styled hair) was born.

TOKYO POSH is the first in the Philippines to specialize on put on hair extensions. We all need a change every now and then. From our clothes to the music we listen to, a little bit of variety is great sometimes. So, why should we have the same hairstyle day in and day out? With put on hair extensions, we can look and feel like a new person -- any time we want to.

Regular hair extensions must be weaved, braided, sewed, or glued -- that's more of a commitment than some people are willing to make. What's more, it can be quite expensive. If you want a little hair variety without the time or financial commitment, consider a clip-on hair extension.

Clip-on hair extensions are a temporary way to change your look. Some clip-on hair extensions are small sections of hair attached to metal clips, much like barrettes. This type of clip-on hair extension is not meant to be used alone and you will need at least three or four of them. You simply clip the extension wherever you need added volume or body. Then the hair can be styled as usual. These hair extensions can be either synthetic or natural.

Tokyo Posh will change the prevailing image of hair extensions/ wigs. Tokyo Posh clip-on hair extensions are just like your bracelet, or earrings, an accessory that can be used/ changed/ altered everyday.

Don’t think twice, think they’re more irresistible once you’ve tried  them on already!:-)