GATA met Soh Kogasaka, a japanese Hairstylist from Fukushima. He has found his creative home in Berlin. With over two years in the city, Soh has become a name synonymous with innovative hair artistry that blends cultural influences and personal expression.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese anime and Berlin’s dynamic art scene, Soh’s work defies convention. From intricate headpieces to bold wigs, his creations are as much about storytelling as they are about aesthetics. Recently, he incorporated artificial intelligence into his creative process, using it to visualize concepts while maintaining the handmade authenticity of his final pieces.

This Editorial is about three AI-human hybrids which awake in a secret Berlin lab and break free in a violent rebellion. Aira (blue) craves the chaos of human emotions, Bren (pink) plots domination, and Caius (green), haunted by fragmented memories, hunts for the truth of his origins.

By blending AI and traditional techniques, he ensures his work remains personal, detailed, and rooted in his vision; "AI builds the ideas, but the roots and the hands are mine“, he says.

Soh is committed to pushing boundaries in Berlin, creating art that challenges norms and empowers individuality. For him, hair is more than style; it’s a statement.

GATA: Who are you, and where are you from?

Soh: I’m Soh Kogasaka from Fukushima, Japan. I spent some years in Tokyo, but I’ve been based in Berlin for two and a half years now. I’m a hairstylist, and hair is really my thing.

GATA: When was the first moment you realized you want to work with hair?

Soh: When I was twelve, my mom took me to a hairdresser for the first time and I went for a spiky style, just like the one I have now. The next day at school, everyone reacted to me differently, they loved my new look, and I even got a new girlfriend, all because of my hair. That transformation showed me that hair could change how people see you and even how you feel about yourself. That was my first success in life, and my switch turned on. I knew, Hair is my thing. I started to express myself by hair.

GATA: Do you think Hair has a lot to do with Identity?

Soh: For me, absolutely. Hair is such a powerful part of self-expression. Everyone’s connection to their hair is unique, and I love helping people who want to find their own vibe through it. Not every stylist understands how personal hair can be, but I do.

GATA: How do you feel when you achieve a goal?

Soh: Honestly, my brain doesn’t stay focused on one achievement for long. I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next vision to bring to life. I guess you could say I’m addicted to creating. Its like my Workout, I don’t know why everyone is going to the Gym, Hair is my Gym! (laughs)

GATA: Is there a particular era or culture that influences your work?

Soh: Japanese anime, 100%. I didn’t realize how deeply it influenced me until I moved to Berlin and saw how I carried it with me. When I was in Japan, I actually looked more toward European influences - directors like David Lynch, for example. But here in Berlin, I feel so inspired by the unique character designs and styles in anime.

GATA: Any specific anime that inspires you?

Soh: Definitely Akira, Ghost in the Shell, One Piece, and Naruto. I love how each character’s look, especially their hair, tells you something about who they are.

GATA: Do you ever think about moving back to Japan to work?

Soh: Not really. In Berlin, I feel free to explore my own style and stand out more. I have space to reach more people and connect with creatives from all over. Going back would feel limiting for me.

GATA: Do you think it is possible to avoid being influenced by trends today?

Soh: It’s hard, especially if you’re a full-time hairstylist who needs to earn a living. There’s always pressure to follow what’s popular. That’s why I keep my salon work separate from my art. I don’t want money or trends dictating my creative process.

GATA: Is it challenging for you sometimes to create headpieces?

Soh: Definitely. When working with designers, they often have specific ideas, and I have to expand my vision to fit their needs. It’s great for my creativity and pushes me, but it can be challenging at times.

GATA: You also make wigs, for Dj´s and Shootings for Fashionmagazines. Are wigs and headpieces different in how you approach them?

Soh: Absolutely. Wigs are meant for someone else, so they need to fit the person and bring them joy. Headpieces, though, are purely for my own expression, they’re 100% based on my preferences. They don’t need to “fit” anyone; they just need to be true to my vision.

GATA: You used AI for this project. Why did you decide to do so? Some artists see it as a threat.

Soh: I was getting bored with the usual sources of inspiration like Pinterest and Google, so I wanted AI to bring my ideas to life in a new way. I created three stories with AI, which gave me inspiration that I couldn’t find elsewhere. It just expanded my own ideas.

GATA Is this your first time working with AI?

Soh: Yes.

GATA: What’s your biggest challenge?

Soh: Everything. Every project is a challenge, but that’s what keeps me growing.

GATA: You have been wearing blue Hair for a while now, why is that?

Soh: It’s connected to my name, which means in japanese something close to “blue.” I will have blue hair until I die; it’s my personal signature. No tattoos, just blue hair.