Today we’d like to introduce you to Tokyo/ Mecca West.
Hi Tokyo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Well growing up my mom was into art, and she was a well-known hairstylist in Newark NJ. she knew how to draw portraits her dad did all the cars for the godfather movie also my uncle and father was an artist so being creative I feel I had honest. I came from a talented family. 20 yrs. ago I left my hometown Newark NJ to pursue my dreams of first being a celebrity hairstylist and that came from being the hairstylist to Jarmaine Hopkins who played in movies such as lean on me, fat beach, how to be a player, etc. when I was 12 yrs. old until 16. When I decided to leave My first destination was Charlotte Nc where then I met Teeny Barrino big brother to American idol winner Fantasia Barrino from there the doors opened that’s when I also met one of my dearest clients until this day 15 yrs in Lamont McCain bass player for Anthony Hamilton. After staying in Charlotte Nc for 10yrs and no family I moved to Atlanta no family to Peruse my dreams I felt Charlotte had no place for me in the fashion world because there was none. I been here now 9 yrs. and I must say the road has definitely been rocky, but I managed to push through. I have made some amazing memories here from being a part of one of the biggest fashion shows fashion week NYC and applying for project runway 3 times although I haven’t gotten that opportunity I keep pushing because I can see the bigger picture and I can see my next move. God has carried me this far to turn back now. So again, thank you for this opportunity and recognizing how amazing I am to Atlanta.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I really wish I could say it was easy, but it hasn’t been. We living in a world where having tons of followers and a blue check make you relevant over principle and talent. So yes, it hasn’t been easy I tried branching out, but it never worked so many people to busy worrying about if you may become bigger than them if they helped out not seeing the bigger picture of us both coming up. But once I realized I’m dope, and dope sells itself I continued to be consistent and driven because it’s very easy for someone to quit but I’m built jersey tough. I’m a one woman show I can do my hair for my shoots, my own makeup and create my clothing so I’m ok with patiently waiting because I never met a consistent person who didn’t make it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day I’m a the celebrity hairstylist here in Atlanta I have women who come from all over such as Birmingham, Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey, Charlotte and California to get their hair done I’m known for this popular natural style called spring twist and I’m really good at it I must say. I am known for both being a hairstylist and fashion stylist/ designer I have worked with people here in Atlanta and out of Atlanta as far as styling shop boyz, pastor Troy, Lamont McCain, lil Kim, Kalena from dirty money and Cathy Hughes. What I am most proud of is being able to leave my hometown 20 yrs. ago to peruse what I am doing right now. Failure to me was always having to go back home so to be in my second state again no family 20 yrs. later I think I’m doing pretty good for myself. What sets me apart is my ability to capture fashion and live in it I don’t have a certain style I just go with the flow, see fashion isn’t forced, it’s actually a lifestyle.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I definitely live by risk taking my whole life. I have been walking by faith my whole entire life and I can admit it hasn’t starred me wrong yet. To become who you want to be in life you have to take risks, sometimes it can even mean risking it all, falling and failing but you must have faith to even be a risk taker. When I first started doing hair do you know how many free hair dues I had to do, you know how many fashion shows, styling gigs I have done for free. It takes a lil to gain a lot.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEj8H7pgj4/32dAOO_1H-9_zCp-i1CDYg/view?fbclid=PAAaYObYNGcdR0VJB-huBNrnrJgw6UXg0_MRkswf7EkTXYhCU5wuZpDtT45qs
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/pDyrMaR2y68
Image Credits
trophie
Sincerely Tokyo
jazziebellj
