Japan students recreate 'Gatsby' style

Nadine Kam photos
A hair piece was added on by this team to come up with their version of a glamorous Roaring '20s look. The women's gowns were provided by Masako Formals.

For the fifth year, Honolulu hairstylist Kensei Takeda of Chez Kensei Salon, hosted a hair and makeup seminar welcoming about 80 students from Yamanashi Beauty College in Japan.

Kensei traveled to Japan during the summer to introduce students to "The Great Gatsby" 1920s theme of the competition that took place Dec. 4 at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel.

At about ages 19 and 20, the students were unfamiliar with what we would consider classic 1920s American style. But trends, even in a time of what we would consider limited media and travel, were global, and during the comparable early Showa period in Japan, a time also marked by deep economic recession, the Ginza scene was dominated by youths dubbed "Mobo" and "Moga," shorthand for the "modern boy" or "modern girl" recognized for their close-cropped hair, rounded hats and thick lipstick.

This year's theme was "Behind the Stage, Behind the Photo Shoot," so Kensei spent 2-1/2 hours showed students how to create three very different looks in hair, makeup and costume in a matter of minutes, before they were divided into small teams to create their own "Great Gatsby" look in an hour.

Afterward, students were judged for their effort, with spots for three winning teams. Here's how they did.

Many hands went into what became the winning look.

Kensei congratulates the winning team.

Kensei poses for a photo with the second-place finishers, with their winning basket of goodies and awards certificates.

Kensei with the third place finishers and their male stand-in for Jay Gatsby.

Getting started earlier in the day.

Teams came prepared with makeup and styling tools.

Makeup for the Mobo, or "Modern Boy."

The finished men's looks.

Another glimpse of the finished looks.

Awaiting the judges' decision.