OUR HISTORY
Since 1978, Suki’s Academy has proudly trained over 1,000 successful hairdressers and is considered one of the finest training programs in the world.
Our founder and inspirational leader, Suki Takagi, is a prestigiously trained and award winning hair professional who founded Suki's in the early 70's. She is originally from Tokyo, Japan, but completed High School and Hair School in Los Angeles, USA.
Suki began her career as an Apprentice at Gene Shacove Salon, one of the most esteemed salons in Beverly Hills, and later moved to Vancouver, Canada with her husband and two young boys.
In 1972, Suki opened her first salon in the upscale South Granville neighbourhood and quickly learned to adapt her work to the city's rainy climate. She designed unique hairstyles for each guest that not only worked with their hair type and bone structure, but suited their lifestyle and profession. Her special approach to hair and immaculate cutting skills quickly attracted the attention of the global hair industry.
In 1979 and 1981, Suki was invited to showcase her skills on stage at the largest and most important international hair show in London, England. As a result, many top hair designers and educators joined Suki's team.
In 1994, Suki was named the YWCA’s Woman of the Year in the Entrepreneur Category, and in 2016, she received the Sans Bias Lifetime Achievement Award at the Intercoiffure Fall Atelier in NYC. Most recently, Suki was honored with the 2020 Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in Vancouver.
Suki is now retired, leaving her son, Ken Takagi, to continue to build and lead her business. Today, 50 years after opening her first salon, there are five salons across three cities with 150 employees, and a sought after Apprentice & Training Program.
