THE DAILY REPORTER

1. The heart of my creative journey has always been about trusting my instinct.

I grew up between Japan and Italy, surrounded by a blend of cultures. My mom introduced me to fashion and beauty, I remember watching her routines and getting fascinated by how she expressed herself.

When I moved to London, I found the underground avant-garde scene and then started working at Dazed magazine. Actually M·A·C was one of the first brands I collaborated with in london working on the campaigns and then I moved to New York, worked at V Magazine, met Gaga, and everything grew from there. I took on creative director role at Mugler,  then creative director at Diesel in Italy, worked with Uniqlo, started my own brand Nicopanda, and now full circle moment I’m back with M·A·C! 

As for my dreams growing up, I honestly just wanted to turn my fantasies into reality. I wanted to get out there and create. That’s exactly what I’m doing now, making those childhood dreams into reality 

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2. Working with Gaga has always felt like having a creative partner on the same wavelength.She’s an incredible collaborator, and we both love pushing boundaries. We’ve created some truly iconic moments in pop culture and fashion history, from the meat dress to unforgettable VMAs performances, Grammy appearances, and the tours! She just keeps going, she’s truly one of a kind.

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3. Creating boundary-pushing visuals has always been one of my greatest passions.

I grew up admiring visual artists like Nick Knight, Inez and Vinoodh, Steven Klein, and Hedi Slimane, and it’s surreal that I now get to create alongside them and keep that spirit of innovation alive. Working at Dazed magazine and V Magazine allowed me to experiment, blurring gender lines, redefining beauty, and treating every editorial like a piece of art. So fun! 

Now, at M·A·C, I get to bring everything I explored in fashion into the world of beauty. It feels like everything I’ve learned is coming together.

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4. I’ve never really seen a difference between fashion and beauty, they’ve always gone hand in hand for me.I’ve always been surrounded by incredible makeup artists, many of whom are close friends, and collaboration has always been part of my world. Stepping into beauty felt like a natural evolution and a chance to think outside the box. At M·A·C, we’re already making wave, not just through cultural moments like Doja Cat at the VMAs, collaborations with Kris Jenner, or introducing Chappell Roan and Ella Gross, but also by developing incredible products that are coming very soon. we’re really just getting started! 

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5. What keeps me motivated is knowing that none of us are perfect, and that’s okay.

We all have doubts, even at the highest points in our careers. The best thing you can do is give it your all, have fun along the way, and not be afraid to make mistakes. For young creatives, don’t be scared of imperfection. Surround yourself with great people, those who think like you and those who don’t. Make lots of mistakes. Experiment until you find what you love. The journey matters more than the destination, and life is much better when you enjoy it.

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6. Switching off is essential for me to stay balanced and creative. I love simple things, walking around the city, hiking, listening to classical music, playing the piano. That’s my meditation. Exercise, rest, and giving myself space to daydream helps me recharge and stay grounded.

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7. I thrive on routine, but my work naturally keeps life varied. Most days start early, with a workout and creative work in the morning, sketching ideas, planning projects, and meetings. When I travel, I love diving into local culture, visiting galleries, exploring shops and restaurants, and meeting people. That’s where a lot of inspiration comes from.

Even with all that movement, I keep things pretty simple, early dinners, early nights. It works for me.

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8. I’m grateful for the past, but I’m much more excited about what’s next. What motivates me is the future, continuing to push boundaries, create magic, and bring inspiration into the world. I want to keep exploring new horizons and seeing how far we can go. I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon.

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9. Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything, even the mistakes. If I’d known too much early on, I might not have taken the risks that shaped me. Making mistakes is how you really learn. There’s nothing like the excitement of doing something for the first time, stepping into the unknown. That feeling is everything.

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10. I have a few mantras I always come back to.

Trust your gut. Believe in yourself. Make mistakes and learn from them. Stay curious, find your passion, don’t treat what you do like work, and surround yourself with great people. Collaborate, experiment, and have fun along the way.