Sunao Takahashi

ABOUT

“I like to balance rawness and precision, with boldness of form, pattern and texture to add something unexpected to each story.” Sunao Takahashi was born and raised in Kobe, Japan, before training in make-up at the prestigious Vantan Design Institution in Osaka - where she was commissioned while still a student. She moved to London in 2017, and assisted Petros Petrohilos and Hironi Ueda before quickly establishing herself as a sought-after artist within the fashion industry and publishing world. She now has a portfolio of commercial and editorial clients that include Burberry, Wales Bonner, Paul Smith, Augustinus Bader, Net-a-Porter, Nike and Uniqlo; and Pop, Purple, The Gentlewomen and British Vogue. Sunao is a master of fresh ‘no make up’ skin; and - whether natural or bold - her looks always have a candid believability to them. She looks to tell the story of the person within the skin, and often finds this is expressed by micro details and subtle colour changes. This focus helps her achieve natural narratives and a sense of real expression. Sunao lives and works between London and Paris, where she finds inspiration in watching films, nature and the people around her.