In every city, there is a stylist who becomes the go-to for models and influencers in need of a transformative hairstyle. In Singapore, that stylist is none other than Junz Loke. Known for his rebellious spirit, verve, and meticulous skill, Loke has become the trusted hand behind the looks of local celebrities and global trendsetters alike. His clientele includes fashion influencer Mae Tan, singer-songwriter Jasmine Sokko, and K-pop icon Irene Kim—to name a few—while his work has graced the pages of Vogue Singapore, Elle Singapore, Grazia Singapore, and more.

Loke’s approach to hairstyling is distinctive. First in the cut, where precision is paramount. “It’s all about how clean the shape is,” he says. But when it comes to color, he takes a more experimental route. His signature use of neon and vibrant, bird-of-paradise-inspired color combinations has earned him accolades, including the Creative Colourist of the Year award at the 2022 Global Creative Awards in Amsterdam.

This innovative streak is evident in some of his most celebrated projects, such as an adidas Terrace Takeover, where he crafted custom-dyed hairpieces showcasing tie-dye patterns, the brand’s iconic triple stripe, and stencils of stars, hearts, and logos for the runway show and guests. Another standout project is his series of wearable hairpieces, which are sold as keychains at Dover Street Market Singapore. The first batch, released in 2023, sold out in mere months.

For this interview, RADII met at 35A, the salon Loke co-founded with his business partner Peter Lee. It sits on the second floor of a shophouse in Kampong Bahru. With natural light streaming in, artwork commissioned from local artists, and a treasure trove of fashion and art books, the space feels more like an artist’s loft than a traditional salon. There, RADII discussed his journey, aspirations, and his desire to elevate hairstyling into art.

Hi Junz! Can you tell me how you started your career?

As a teenager, I always liked to experiment with my hair, so it felt natural for me to want to become a hairstylist. Thinking about the beginning, it was ages ago, but I had a really good time. I had mentors who saw something in me and decided to polish me like a diamond in the rough.

After five years of assisting, I made the decision to break away. With the support of my friends from the industry, I made it work as an independent freelancer. At the time, I was already doing Mae [Tan]’s hair, and she invited me to be part of her Fashion Week team in Paris—one of my first big independent gigs.

That must have been quite the experience. What happened next?

Mae has become a consistent collaborator and client. I’m very grateful for the working relationship we have.

Shortly after Paris Fashion Week, COVID happened, and everything shut down. Thankfully, as time progressed, the government started allowing people to cut hair, as it became deemed an essential service—although coloring hair was still out of the question.

I was super restless at that time. The only thing available to most of us was social media, which many people took to—myself included. I felt that it was a good time for me to explore this platform to share my work as well.

To be honest, I was not sure at first, but I had a gut feeling that TikTok would have a huge impact on how things worked in the future. Funnily enough, due to that time of isolation, I gained a lot of customers from TikTok and Instagram later on.

You were starting to get your own clients, working with celebrities, and also doing magazine editorials with titles like Vogue Singapore. What was your motivation to open your own hair salon on top of that?

The thing is, I’m not the sort of person who can stay too comfortable. I’m always asking myself, “What is the next step?”

In 2022, I had the idea of setting up a hair salon that wasn’t your typical salon. I could see that the younger generation was not just into style, but also the culture, the art, the creativity, and being a part of a larger community. I was playing with the idea of having a space that also acted like a platform where I could hold exhibitions, parties, etc. I wanted it to be about exchanging ideas on fashion and art.

I was trying to convince Peter, a friend of mine, to start it with me. I could see the potential, and I told him, “If we don’t do it now, someone else will. The time is now.”

Actually, he said “no” to me twice. I knew that I needed Peter for this venture. He is trustworthy and an overall good guy. He’s the sort of person who would make things happen. I remember telling myself, if I got rejected again, I would pack all my stuff and move to London to try out a new scene.

Finally, on the third go, he agreed.

Around that time, I had to travel to Amsterdam for the Global Creative Awards, organized by Goldwell. I went and actually won Gold for the Creative Colourist of the Year, representing Singapore! Right after I came back, I got a call from my property agent introducing me to the studio space at Kampong Bahru. It was perfect. The hardwood floors and skylight were what sold me. We decided to set up our salon there.

All these events happened one after the other—it was a crazy time.

What were some of the lessons you learned in your journey?

This industry is, first and foremost, a service job. You have to talk to people. I knew that I had to meet people and put myself out there from the beginning. I started reading a lot and listening to music, just getting to know my style and what I liked. That really helped my career.

I also value consistency a lot. It took me almost over a decade to get here, and I don’t really see myself as “successful.” I mean, I have come very far from where I started, but I still have many things I want to learn and accomplish. I admire the ambition of the younger generation, but a lot of them give up after trying for maybe a couple of months. It just doesn’t work that way. There are no fast and instant results.

Leading a team is no easy feat. Everyone has opinions, different goals, and different personalities. How do you manage all that in your salon?

During my time as a freelancer, I learned that I can only accomplish so much by myself. You could be successful, but if you want to go far, you need a team.

I’m quite picky with the people I choose to join my team. The salon has experienced steady year-on-year growth, and we now have six staff members, including me. This year, we are hoping to recruit three more.

A lot of people come through for interviews, and I can immediately feel their energy. As long as you have a good personality and work ethic, having the right skills is actually not the most important criterion. You must really want it, and you must be a good team player.

As someone who is driven and constantly looking for the next thing, what are your future plans or projects?

I want people to break free of the idea that hair needs to feel “natural,” to expand the definition of how people perceive hair. It’s something I’m exploring with my “hair accessories” that are being sold at Dover Street Market.

I have so many ideas, and I wouldn’t want to reveal too much, so stay tuned!

Cover image via Instagram/marxmae.