If you’re still looking for a 2026 planner, have you considered purchasing one made from fake human skin? That’s the material that Japanese make-up artist Pon used to document her year ahead. Incidentally, her plans include: making more wallets from fake human skin, more lighters from fake human skin, and more wearable items from (you guessed it) fake human skin. The pieces are as cute as they are creepy – at least Pon hopes that’s the case. Along with the faux tongues and piercings, she also adds tiny hearts and red ribbons to soften the gore. 

Pon’s developed her process of hand-sculpting and painting silicone from her free time spent making SFX prosthetics for her own make-up. In 2022, this expanded into wearable objects and everyday human skin-themed essentials. Since then, she’s been developing her own skin-obsessed corner of the internet, posting fleshy pieces that make you pause (and potentially throw up in your mouth a little) in your scroll. Some of the pieces, like the bikinis, are technically wearable, and Pon wears them herself. Although she (rather ironically) doesn’t recommend putting them straight on your skin or wearing them for an extended period of time. 

Don’t confuse Pon’s posts as being part of a brand – she’s not trying to sell you something. Her skin pieces are simply an outlet for her artistic expression; something she hopes to showcase on a global stage. For now, she’s covering her books with skin covers and pulling veiny lighters out of her purse, while dreaming of a walk-in closet made entirely of fake human skin. 

Ahead, we spoke to Pon about balancing creepy with kawaii and sparking curiosity from discomfort.

Where did the inspiration to make fake human skin items come from?

Pon: I’m interested in creating objects that feel as if they are being worn but almost not worn at the same time. I wanted to make familiar items appear as if they were emerging from the body itself. I began with a garter belt because it is an item I personally like, and I wanted it to feel as though it was attached to the skin and integrated with the body, rather than simply worn on top of it.

What was the first item you made in fake human skin? 

Pon: I started using fake human skin as a material in 2022, beginning with the skin garter belt. Instead of making one-time-use prosthetics, I reworked them into reusable pieces, which became the foundation of my current practice. After the belt, I began creating items I personally wanted, like chokers, wallets, bikinis and calendars. 

What made you want to transition from SFX prosthetics to objects?

Pon: I have always enjoyed making SFX prosthetics, and I became interested in the idea of being able to carry them in everyday life. Because of this, I often take ideas from prosthetics I made in the past and remake them in new forms. For example, a skin bandage prosthetic I created in 2021 is now incorporated into many of my works, such as diary cases, bikinis, bags and lighter cases.

You also make a lot of table tennis handles. Tell me more about that!

Pon: I personally have played table tennis for ten years. The table tennis racket handle expresses the feeling of practising so much that bruises form on your hand. I created a hand-shaped bruise where the grip is held. In table tennis matches, players sometimes exchange rackets. I thought this detail could silently communicate how much training has gone into the player.

What about the videos of you washing your skin bikinis? What are those made of?

Pon: The skin washing pieces are mainly made of silicone. The process begins with designing and sculpting the form, followed by moulding and casting. After that, I carefully paint the surface to adjust colour and detail. I sculpt the texture and shape by hand, focusing on creating a soft, skin-like surface with a flexible feel. The production time can vary greatly depending on the size of the work. For example, the calendar piece took about three weeks to complete. 

What do the pieces feel like?

Pon: Some people who have touched the pieces have said that they feel similar to real skin!

What’s your favourite skin accessory? 

Pon: My favourite fake skin accessory is a fake human skin bikini with pockets. I wanted to visually express the sense of touch, so I designed it to look as if the shape of a hand is emerging from the pocket.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve made to look like skin? 

Pon: The strangest thing I’ve made so far is a lighter case shaped like a flesh lighter.

Do you wear your own pieces?

Pon: I do wear some of the pieces. Items like coin cases and lighter cases are used in my daily life. Sometimes, I wear pieces like chokers or garter belts when I go to concerts. I enjoy wearing fake skin not to make a strong statement, but because it works as a subtle point within an outfit. Rather than standing out loudly, I’m interested in leaving a quiet impression  – something people notice only after a closer look. I also use these pieces in daily life as part of my creative research, to test their durability and how well they hold up over time.

What reaction do you get in public?

Pon: When people see my fake skin coin purses or lighter cases in public, their reactions vary. There are people who become interested in the material and how it’s made. Some are surprised and ask if it’s real, while others feel a bit uneasy.

I’ve seen people in your comments asking what would happen if you throw fake skin in a pan and fry it. What’s the answer?

Pon: That’s an interesting question. The material is not designed to be exposed to heat, and high temperatures could cause chemical substances to be released. For safety reasons, I would not recommend doing that!

Your Instagram says “creepy but still kawaii”. Why are the cute elements important to you?

Pon: Originally, I wasn’t trying to make something creepy. The ideas came from my interest in prosthetics. However, because the works are sometimes described as unsettling, I intentionally include cute elements to make them feel more approachable. By combining creepy and kawaii, I try to create a balance where the work invites curiosity rather than discomfort. That’s why it has become an important part of how I describe my work.

What would be your dream object to make from fake human skin? 

Pon: My dream project is to build a space similar to a walk-in closet, where every item inside is made entirely from fake human skin. I imagine it as a collection of everyday objects – clothing, accessories and personal items – transformed into a single immersive environment. I would also like to create a book and embed small samples of the fake skin material that I have made. To achieve this, I plan to continue producing many other pieces.