For Tom Yek, 2026 NAHA winner and founder of Decrypt salon in Klang, Malaysia, hair is a canvas to express his personal identity as an artist. Fuelled by his country’s rich diversity, he pushes past boundaries, transforming avant-garde styling into pure visual art.
Seeing his work behind the chair as that of a master sculptor, Tom thinks of his showstopping avant-garde pieces as an art form, with every new style a mirror of his own identity and an expression of hard-won technical excellence.
“Avant-garde has given me the freedom to ask: what can hair truly become when we are no longer bound by traditional boundaries?”
Even in his early days, Tom was drawn to the artistry behind hairdressing, so it’s no surprise that he moved toward avant-garde. But rather than focusing on achieving impossible looks; he wants his work to stir emotions.
“Hair is not just something we cut, dye, or style,” told Tom. “It’s a medium to create entirely different visual forms, tell a story, express emotions, ideas, and concepts through shape, texture, and visual language.
“When a visual form can further carry a story and concept, I feel it is no longer just a hairstyle, but an artistic expression.”
Finding inspiration in Malaysia’s multicultural tapestry, Tom credits the diversity of his homeland as an influence at his salon. The melting pot of Malaysian traditions, languages and aesthetics has informed his work and led Tom to create unique looks that respect Malaysia’s wealth of backgrounds and cultures.
“I don’t believe creativity must originate from a single culture or visual language,” said Tom. “Sometimes, the most interesting and unique ideas arise when different influences coexist and intertwine.”
For me, beauty isn’t about making everyone look the same, but rather the richness that arises from the fusion of different identities, cultures, and expressions. Diversity intertwines to create unique beauty.”
Adding to his string of award wins, such as Goldwell Avant-Garde Stylist and Mizutani World Cut Photo Contest, Tom most recently landed the NAHA for International Collection of the Year with his Tapestry of Beauty series, weaving together distinct voices within Malaysian culture to showcase the ‘mutual brilliance’ of individuals and challenge traditional concepts of beauty.
“I’ve never seen an award as the end of my journey. For me, it’s more like another starting point.”
“What I’m most proud of isn’t just the final photographs, but the entire creative process behind the series,” said Tom. “Every detail required patience, precision, and the courage to constantly push myself to surpass my initial vision.”
Taking the confidence gained from his award win, Tom is stepping out of his comfort zone to break through his limitations and try his hand at creative methods he hasn’t felt confident exploring in the past.
“I’ve never seen an award as the end of my journey,” said Tom. “For me, it’s more like another starting point. I’ve always believed that each creation should allow me to go further than the last.
“It motivates me to continue learning, experimenting, and creating, while constantly searching for my own artistic voice.”
That passion for endlessly discovering new possibilities has kept Tom’s passion for avant-garde alive. His urge to experiment with structure and texture, trying combinations of techniques, materials, and products, has pushed his looks to the fine line between hairstyle, sculpture, and visual art. “What I love most is the process of transforming an idea into a tangible form.
“Avant-garde has given me the freedom to ask: what can hair truly become when we are no longer bound by traditional boundaries?”
Tom’s blue-sky philosophy extends to his own career. The international awards may have been a highlight, but rather than basking in the golden glow, Tom wants to push himself creatively and continue to refine his craft. Not for the trophies, but to find his definitive signature style.
“Going forward, I hope to continue developing my identity as a visual artist, creating a distinctive, easily recognizable personal artistic language, while bringing Malaysian creativity to the international stage.”
