Internationally acclaimed Spanish hair maestros Manuel Mon and Rafael Bueno unveil Kabuki, a visionary hair fashion collection that transcends tradition and elevates hair art to new heights.
Drawing inspiration from the elaborate aesthetics of Japanese Kabuki theatre, Manuel Mon and Rafael Bueno reinterpret its iconic imagery through a futuristic lens, transforming hair into true sculptural masterpieces. Each Kabuki look is a bold creative statement, merging avant-garde structures with impeccable craftsmanship. Intricate details—evoking the characters, masks, and costumes characteristic of Kabuki—are seamlessly integrated into the hair, resulting in striking, impactful visuals.
“I’ve always been fascinated by Asian culture, and both Rafael and I are deeply inspired by the shapes, colors, makeup, and costumes of Japanese Kabuki. The music, dance, and art of this theatrical genre align perfectly with what we wanted to express, not only in the hair but also in the styling, makeup, and overall concept,” explains Manuel Mon.
With Kabuki, Mon and Bueno masterfully balance heritage and innovation, paying tribute to the discipline and artistry of Kabuki performers while pushing the boundaries of contemporary hair art. Following the success of Wakanda—their joint collection that earned them prestigious accolades, both nationally at the Premios Fígaro 2023 and internationally at the ABS Global Image Awards 2024 in Chicago—the Oviedo-based Mon and Málaga-born Bueno continue to create magic together with this inspiring new collection.
“We truly enjoy what we do. We share knowledge, have fun working together, and that energy is reflected in every image we create. We make a great team because we both love creative hairdressing, we’re perfectionists, highly sensitive to detail, and, above all, we share a strong friendship. I’m convinced that Rafa and I will continue to create many more projects together,” says Manuel Mon.
With this bold new chapter, Manuel Mon and Rafael Bueno reaffirm their status as visionaries in avant-garde hairdressing, challenging the industry to constantly reinvent itself and continue pushing creativity to the highest level.
Credits
Hair: Manuel Mon & Rafael Bueno
Makeup: Lulú Pérez
Makeup Assistant: Isabel Pérez Portillo
Photography: Jesús Chacón
Styling: It-Spain
Art Direction: Ana Ortiz
Video: UveMTZ
Models: @sunny_da_killer @elainemay04