Gen Itoh生於紐約，小時候住在東京郊區海邊附近，是個嚮往衝浪的陽光少年，他未曾想過走美髮這條路，17歲搬往英國，一切的緣份才打開。朋友介紹他認識日本Toni&Guy創辦人Kenji Saiga，此外，他看了Anthony Moscolo在舞台上的美髮技術表演，那時候便在心中埋下成為髮型師的夢想種子。

Gen was born in New York and grew up in Tokyo near the sea. He was a sunshine boy who was passionate for surfing. Gen never thought of devoted himself in hairdressing career when he was young. At the age of 17, he moved to UK with his parents then his fate started changing. A friend introduced him to meet Japan’s Toni & Guy founder Kenji Saiga. What’s more, after he watched Anthony Moscolo's hairdressing performance on the stage, he planted the seeds of his dream of becoming a hairdresser.

1998年，Gen加入Toni&Guy學院進修、並在髮廊工作，Gen認為：「打好基礎還不夠，把所有能上的課全上一遍吧！在這圈子只有全心投入才能成長，每六個月就能看見自己巨大的變化。」2008年，Gen從老東家Toni&Guy轉戰到TIGI的決定，是他職涯重要轉捩點，如今長達23年的美髮歲月，他多次與偶像Anthony在世界各地作秀，去年他倆第一次在東京同台，Gen邀請自己的父母觀演，成為他最難忘的經歷。

In 1998, Gen joined the Toni & Guy Academy for learning hairdressing and working in the salon. Gen said, "Merely getting basic qualifications is not enough, one needs to do as many courses as one can. This industry is constantly evolving, and every six months there is a new look.” In 2008, Gen's decision to move from his old team Toni & Guy to TIGI was an important turning point in his career. With 23 years of hairdressing, he has countless working experiences with the industry icon, Anthony. Last year is the first time he shared the spotlight with Anthony in Tokyo. Gen invited his parents watching that show, which became his most memorable experience.

2019年Gen正式升任TIGI 亞太區創意總監，從倫敦搬回東京老家。一年之中，他有一半時間周遊各國做市場開發，為了深入亞洲市場，他前往台灣、越南、韓國、菲律賓、馬來西亞、中國、香港、印度等地，探勘亞洲美髮市場需求。

Last year, Gen was officially promoted to TIGI APAC Creative Director. He left London and moved back to his hometown, Tokyo. Gen traveled around the world for market development half of the time in a year. To explore the needs of Asian hairdressing market, he went to Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, etc.

「亞洲有很多相當有才華的髮型師，各地發展出獨特而啟發人心的風格。亞洲人和歐洲人的審美觀真的很不同，作為日本人，過去在倫敦生活23年，了解英國各區對時尚潮流的品味也不一樣，我非常喜歡這種多元性。我們的工作和藝術有絕對的關係，TIGI最大的特色就是能夠快速地運用技巧塑造出絕美的髮型，團隊裡每個人各有獨到的絕活。」Gen Itoh一語道出TIGI成為潮流先鋒之關鍵。

Gen每天的工作是專注於不同城市中的人們、了解當地生活環境、時尚品味跟潮流趨勢。Gen認為亞洲思維正在全世界蔓延:「這幾年，全球矚目的時尚、髮型潮流都逐漸轉向亞洲，我們應該感激自己在亞洲市場的一環，現在也是擴張技能、用創意和世界接軌的最佳時機。」

"There are so many talented hairstylists in Asia, developing unique and inspiring styles everywhere. The aesthetics of Asians and Europeans are really different. As a Japanese, during the 23 years I spent in London, I observed that people's sense of fashion varies from area to area in UK. However, I enjoy the diversity very much. Our work definitely related to aesthetic design. TIGI features that hairdressers can create beautiful hairstyles in a very short time by our professional skills. And everyone in our team demonstrates their unique skills."said Gen Itoh.

Gen watches people in different cities during the trips, learns their living environment, fashion tastes and trends. Gen Itoh, "In recent years, Asia is becoming the model of world fashion and hairstyle trend. We should be grateful for we are part of the Asian market. Now is the best time to expand our skills and use our creativity to connect with the world."

「讓熱情不滅的方法，秘訣就是一直與優秀的髮型師在一起，自然會想向他們學習，就能一直保持熱情！靈感方面，無論何時何地我都準備好被啟發，靈感通常來自毫無期待時、一個也不怎麼熟悉的領域，就這麼靈光乍現！然而，多了解不同領域的知識，也能擴張自己變成一個更容易被啟發的人。」Gen侃侃說道。

The secret to keep passion for work is always get along with great hairstylists. It would naturally trigger me to keep learning from them and stay enthusiastic! In terms of inspiration, I open my mind to new ideas wherever and whenever I am because inspirations sometimes suddenly comes from nowhere when you expose yourself to different fields. To receive new inspirations frequently, it is good to open up to all kinds of knowledge," Gen frankly shared.

TIGI國際創意團隊夥伴打散在世界各處，對市場有新想法時透過電話會議召集大家，彼此更新各區動態，讓大家走在同個頻率上。Gen在倫敦工作超過十年，相處的團員也多是不同國籍，大夥一起工作、交流，也有過爭吵，多年過去了，創作的腳步不曾停下。TIGI團隊是一個大家庭，大夥了解各自強弱、互相扶持一起有效率地解決問題。

TIGI International Creative Team partners scatter all over the world. However, they communicate the ideas, update each market dynamic and discuss the fashion trends by conference calls so everyone are on the same page. Worked with London team for over 10 years, Gen’s colleagues all came from different nations and had their stories. Through during those years, they worked together and learned together, sometimes argued together, and they never stop creating. TIGI is an inspirational big family, they are familiar with others' personal strengths and weaknesses, which help them to work together efficiently in any situation.

人生磨練都在日常之中，Gen接著說道：「我認為一起經歷困難很重要，了解和接受弱點更重要，這是讓我們保持專業、增強能力和創造更多可能的秘訣。我也有面臨困難的時候，最大的支持來自於團隊，比起自己想辦法扛、猜測該怎麼做，直接尋求協助最快。美髮工作不是一場獨秀，它是團體戰。」

“It is important to experience difficulties together. while to understand and accept what we are weak in is what really matters. I believe this is one of the keys to stay professional, increase our capacity and possibilities and creativity as a team. I do struggles for challenges, but my team is my biggest support. When I face tough situations, instead of refusing budge, ask for support usually helps. Hairdressing is not your own show, it requires teamwork instead.”said Gen.

Gen屬於那種穩扎穩打步步晉升的類型，問到在美髮圈有相當優異的成就是否有建議給其他的髮型師？Gen謙虛的表示：「我不知道我有甚麼成就，但道理很簡單，就是專注於一件事，堅持地做下去，慢而穩地發展下去遠勝過追求速度，堅持必有回報。」

Gen got promotions step by step. When was asked to share the reason to get successful with young hairstylist, he answer very humbly, "I don't know if I have developed reputation, but the reason is simple. To focus on one thing and persist to it; however, slow and steady wins the race. Persistence pays off."

忙碌於工作的Gen，讓我們期待未來能看到「TIGI亞洲藝術團隊」，還有TIGI透過亞洲設計師所研發的產品「TIGI COPY RIGHT CARE」系列，除此之外，Gen也致力於邀請更多優秀的歐洲、美國髮型師來到亞洲辦研討會、髮型秀，讓我們一起期待東方頭髮美學的世界更熱鬧吧！

Let us look forward to seeing Gen creates "TIGI APAC Creative Team" and expand TIGI business in Asia even more with their new product series, TIGI COPY RIGHT CARE, with talented Asian hairdressers. What's more, Gen is committed to invite more US and European hairdressers to visit Asia for forums and hair shows so they can share skills and creativities. It is the time for us to make more nosies for the rising eastern hairdressing world!