Six years ago, in 2019, I took a trip to Japan that changed the way I saw the world. I had a few early @crownaffair samples in my bag (OG packaging on slide 2), and I remember feeling—for the first time—that it was time to bet on myself after a decade of building for others. Something about being in Japan confirmed everything I knew to be true about the vision: one centered on time, care, and ritual. ⏳ It was during that trip that I was introduced to Tsubaki Seed Oil—an ingredient that would become the foundation of our first formula, the Hair Oil, and remains at the heart of every formula we’ve created since. I had never experienced something so hydrating yet weightless—unlike argan or coconut oil, which always left my fine strands heavy and greasy. But more than the ingredient, it was the philosophy of care in Japan that stayed with me. The way people move through the world with pride in their craft. The reverence for daily rituals. And the idea that care isn’t about fixing or taming, but about love. Presence. Beauty in every moment. I came home to New York, I met with @shoshibuya at Crosby Street Hotel to download the vision, that same afternoon met with my chemist at his lab on the east side of Manhattan, and the rest is history. Today, I return to the place that gave me so much. A place that’s quietly called me back since I left. So much has happened since 2019—a global pandemic, a shifting world, more growth than I could’ve imagined. But in many ways, everything that’s unfolded began with the seed planted on that trip. The vision was always clear. And over time, we’ve helped move a category forward. When the industry starts to look and sound like Crown Affair, you know you’ve created something that resonates. I’ll take imitation over never having built what we did. Watching the space evolve only raises the bar—for all of us. I’m returning with fresh eyes, deeper perspective, and a full heart. Ready to be creatively filled up again—and to bring it all back to share. Here’s to creating with intention. Here’s to the magic of Japan. Here’s to taking care, and taking our time—always. Ps the last slide is the last photo took in Japan at the airport. 〰️