Akki Shirakawa is an Osaka-born, Tokyo-raised hairstylist, who has lived in New York for the past twelve years. Having trained for six years, under Luigi Murenu as his first assistant, Akki quietly developed a reputation for his vision and dexterity with wigs – with a personal collection that now stretches into the hundreds; all handmade by Akki himself.
Akki has become one of the leading names in the industry. Collaborating frequently with fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, alongside photographers including Mario Sorrenti, Zoe Ghertner, Alasdair McLellan, Craig McDean, Lachlan Bailey, Theo Wenner, Harley Weir and Peter Lindbergh across a vast range of editorial and commercial projects.
His client list includes brands such as Acne Studios, Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Saint Laurent and Versace.
Akki has worked with Lady Gaga on several important projects, alongside a host of other important celebrities and models.