SUKI’S 50TH EVENT
SUKI’S CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION
Vancouver’s legendary hair salon prepares three day event
to commemorate five decades of artistry
Vancouver’s most prestigious and awarded hair salon, Suki’s, is celebrating 50 years in business this month with an interactive hair fashion event. Suki’s hairdressing team will present five shows from November 27 to November 29 at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden located at 578 Carrall Street in Chinatown.
“In 1972, as a single mom, my mother, Suki, opened her very first salon on South Granville. The existing staff immediately quit because they refused to work for a woman, let alone a Japanese woman, but she never wavered from her vision. Our 50th is a tribute to her and her vision,” said Ken Takagi, President of Suki’s.
“She was the first salon owner in Canada to use colour specialists working in partnership with a stylist to design exciting hair fashion, and the first to train our staff to create excellence and consistency throughout our system, with a structured apprentice training program,” said Ashley Hood, Suki’s General Manager and Principal Colour Instructor.
Tickets are available for $25 from eventbrite.ca. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. As a registered not-for-profit, the Garden’s revenue goes toward the fulfillment of their mission to bring together cultures and communities through educational and public programs. Admission includes a complimentary glass of champagne, live music, and interactive hair show celebrating some of the company’s favourite looks from the past 50 years.
*All shows will be hosted both inside and outside throughout the garden, and will run rain or shine. Valet parking will be available.
Show Times:
November 27: Evening - Doors open at 6:00 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm.
November 28: Matinee - Doors open at 3:00 pm. Show starts at 4:00 pm.
November 28: Evening - Doors open at 6:00 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm.
November 29: Matinee - Doors open at 3:00 pm. Show starts at 4:00 pm.
November 29: Evening - Doors open at 6:00 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm.
Suki Takagi first opened Suki’s in 1972 and it has since grown to five upscale hair salons in Vancouver & Victoria. Suki’s Academy began in 1978, attracting students from all across Canada and around the world. Suki’s has been voted Vancouver’s top hair salon in The Georgia Straight for the last 26 years.
SUKI TAKAGI
Suki Takagi is a prestigiously trained and award winning hair professional who founded Suki's in the early 70's. She is originally from Tokyo, Japan, but completed High School and Hair School in Los Angeles, USA.
Suki began her career as an Apprentice at Gene Shacove Salon, one of the most esteemed salons in Beverly Hills, and later moved to Vancouver, Canada with her husband and two young boys.
In 1972, Suki opened her first salon in the upscale South Granville neighbourhood and quickly learned to adapt her work to the city's rainy climate. She designed unique hairstyles for each guest that not only worked with their hair type and bone structure, but suited their lifestyle and profession. Her special approach to hair and immaculate cutting skills quickly attracted the attention of the global hair industry.
In 1979 and 1981, Suki was invited to showcase her skills on stage at the largest and most important international hair show in London, England. As a result, many top hair designers and educators joined Suki's team.
In 1994, Suki was named the YWCA’s Woman of the Year in the Entrepreneur Category, and in 2016, she received the Sans Bias Lifetime Achievement Award at the Intercoiffure Fall Atelier in NYC. Most recently, Suki was honored with the 2020 Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in Vancouver.
Suki is now retired, leaving her son, Ken Takagi, to continue to build and lead her business. Today, 50 years after opening her first salon, there are five salons across three cities with 150 employees, and a sought after Apprentice & Training Program.
