6/28/2022

Hayato Shiomi Thinks More Men Should Get Their Nails Done

“Nail art is a form of self-expression, and it should be genderless” says Hayato Shiomi from Nail ZEROPLUS . The interior craftsman-turned-nail tech has a two-month waiting list, but he still wants more people of all genders to use nail art as a way to express who they are. Shiomi was extremely nervous about changing careers, about holding women' hands. His father was also worried about the career change, but not because he cared about the prestige of Shiomi’s job like some Asian parents. His dad was worried because the entrepreneurial life is hard. But instead of discouraging or manipulating Shiomi based on his fear, this Asian dad quietly prepared him by buying entrepreneurial books to help Shiomi start his own business. 15 years later, he’s not only surviving, he’s considered a veteran, having won many nail art awards, followers on social and clients who can’t get enough of his designs.

About the Filmmaker

6/28/2022

Hayato Shiomi Thinks More Men Should Get Their Nails Done

“Nail art is a form of self-expression, and it should be genderless” says Hayato Shiomi from Nail ZEROPLUS . The interior craftsman-turned-nail tech has a two-month waiting list, but he still wants more people of all genders to use nail art as a way to express who they are. Shiomi was extremely nervous about changing careers, about holding women' hands. His father was also worried about the career change, but not because he cared about the prestige of Shiomi’s job like some Asian parents. His dad was worried because the entrepreneurial life is hard. But instead of discouraging or manipulating Shiomi based on his fear, this Asian dad quietly prepared him by buying entrepreneurial books to help Shiomi start his own business. 15 years later, he’s not only surviving, he’s considered a veteran, having won many nail art awards, followers on social and clients who can’t get enough of his designs.

About the Filmmaker

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Thai Group, The Barbarian, Inspired by Chicano Culture

Leng the Barbarian is not a gangster, he’s a big brother in a family–one where male members endure 13 seconds of violence to belong, and female members (depending on if they’re “sweet” or “strong”) must dance or drink alcohol. This initiation, Leng explains, is a challenge meant to attract like-minded people: strong, determined, perseverant. This family has house rules, including not doing cocaine and amphetamines, or anything that can “ruin their lives”. They take care of one another like a family does, sharing everything from money and food to jobs and opportunities. In 2017, Leng founded The Barbarian, a group that was aimed to be independent, creative, and loud. As a child growing up in the slums, he had experienced watching fatal overdoses on his way to school, and grew up to become a thief buying drugs. Deeply inspired by Chicano gang culture and style, and listening to Mexican rappers like Lil Rob and Mr Yosie, Leng was drawn to how gentle the culture was from how they dance to iron their clothes. Chicano, a chosen identity for Mexicans who immigrated to Los Angeles, was once a term of derision and then adopted as an expression of defiance towards white assimilation. Not only did Leng integrate Chicano gang style into The Barbarian aesthetic, he built an imported clothing business focused on Chicano streetwear. He wants people to raise children with an open mind, and learn about Chicano culture by wearing it. Leng believes it’s their recognizable style that has made The Barbarians a target for police today.

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Hayato Shiomi Thinks More Men Should Get Their Nails Done