Meet Mai Ikuzawa, recently appointed Creative Director of Bentley Motors and one of the most singular creative voices working today.
Tokyo-born and London-based, Mai is the daughter of Japanese motorsport legend Tetsu Ikuzawa, and grew up in pit lanes from Silverstone to Suzuka before building her own world at the intersection of art, speed and luxury through Team Ikuzawa and her creative agency Bow Wow International.
She splits her life between London, Chamonix and Tokyo, raises two highly active boys, drives and skis better than most, and approaches skin the way she approaches everything else: as a system built for endurance, longevity, and a life lived at altitude and at speed.
SCS: Your work blends art, speed and luxury with creative vision. How has your approach to self care and skincare evolved alongside your journey as a creative leader?
MI: Like most of us, I’m relentlessly juggling so many things. I lead creatively across global brands, running a start-up brand, raise two highly active boys, and immerse myself in high-adrenalin environments. That level of output demands a disciplined approach to longevity. Self care for me is no longer indulgence, it's a survival need!
Travel sits at the centre of my life, so my skincare has had to evolve into a system that is both high performance and practical to tackle altitude, dehydration, disrupted sleep, constant transitions that all fits into a carry-on and routines that I can complete very fast.
I struggle often when i have to be in mother-mode, then work all night then catch a longhaul flight, arrive 7am and next I am expected to step into a public facing role and as a Creative Director/Brand Owner/Entrepreneur and I have to assert and be the best of me and what I represent - talk to press and or customers. Being always on form. That duality requires consistency and discipline that most women can relate to, we never stop do we?!
SCS: As someone redefining leadership in automotive and design, what is one skincare or self care ritual that keeps you aligned with your vision every day?
MI: My environments are extreme by nature. High altitude, dry climates, long days on exposed race circuits, and constant long haul travel. So my philosophy is simple. Protection first, then regeneration.
Sun avoidance and protection is non negotiable for me. It is deeply rooted in my Japanese culture - we are like vampires in direct sunlight!
Beyond that, my biggest focus is on maintaining structure and hydration. I spend a significant amount of time working remotely, which means prolonged screentime exposure. I am a screen-addict unfortunately.
That is where targeted treatments come in. Monthly microneedling, as recommended by Andrea, combined with a routine focused on deep hydration and maintenance, has been transformative.
SCS: What is a misconception about women in cars and design, and how do you challenge it?
MI: My recent appointment as Creative Director of Bentley Motors felt like a significant moment, not just personally, but in terms of recognition for women within the industry. At the same time, I never saw it as being appointed because I am a woman, but rather as a moment where bias was no longer a barrier.
This industry, despite being male dominated, is fundamentally built on obsession. People enter it because of a deep passion for cars, motorsport, engineering and design, and that shared passion creates a level of mutual respect, especially within grassroots racing communities.
My credibility comes from a genuine, life-long connection to motorsports, design, engineering and a distinct creative language shaped by that intersection, and as a woman I naturally bring a new dimension. It also helps I can drive and ski better than most LOL.
SCS: What gives you goosebumps?
MI: Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
SCS: If your skincare journey were a design philosophy, what would it be?
MI: I see both creativity and skincare as forms of alchemy.
Meeting Andrea was a pivotal moment in that process. She understands that skin, like design, is dynamic. The work we have done together is not about surface level change, but about building a system that evolves with me.
MAI'S GO TO TREATMENT: STELLAR FACE MICRONEEDLING
Her treatment of choice with us is monthly microneedling. In her words, effective immediately, and it really, really works.
Microneedling is an innovative non-invasive advanced treatment which takes collagen, skin texture, fine lines and scarring under its metaphorical wing and gives it a big old boost. Our therapist will devise a bespoke cocktail of retinol, aminos and / or vitamins to target your concerns, it gives good glow from the inside out and ensures you do you (only better, and ouch-free).
Book Stellar Face Microneedling