The Collectors Report 2016: Miki Gao, The Hat Addict

In our Collectors series, BAZAAR highlights six stylish women, who are as discerning as they are devoted to adding their obsessions to their supersized wardrobes and impeccably organised vanity vaults. Our collector today is hat addict Miki Gao

By Annabelle Fernandez - published 7 Apr 2016

MIKI GAO (@MIKIGAO)

THE HAT ADDICT

She has spent the past six years rising through the ranks at kimrobinson Singapore, and is

considered the go-to hair stylist (and trusted friend) of the style cognoscenti. As for her own blonde

bob, she prefers to style it up with a hat from her 50-strong collection built from her travels.

What styles do you love the most?

I love all sorts, from snapbacks to fedoras, but they are always quirky or have a unique element.

Where do you get your hats?

From all over the world because I love getting hats while travelling. Recently, I had to get multiple snow caps while in Niseko because it was so unbearably cold—but we really wanted to hit the slopes!

How do you incorporate hats into your outfits?

I like to think of my hats as an extension of my outfit, more than an accessory—the same way I view hair as one’s crowning glory. I love using hats to contrast an outfit. If I’m wearing an edgy ensemble, I’ll opt for a more feminine hat to soften the look and vice versa with a sporty snapback if, on the rare occasion, I wear something lady-like.

What’s your most special piece?

Design-wise, it has to be a snapback by House Of Malakai, which I got from TriBeCa at Forum. No ordinary hat, it’s fashioned with a mix of white canvas and leather, embellished with a studded crown, fusing street grunge with femininity.

What’s on your wish list?

I really want to design my own hat. For now, I’m painting everything from words to animated characters on bags, and will start on a hat painting project as soon as I have the time.

This is the fourth of a six-part series. To see more from The Collectors Report 2016, click here.

By Dana Koh

Photographed by Darren Gabriel Leow

Styled by Windy Aulia

Makeup: Toni Tan/My Makeup Academy using Chanel

Hair: Grego using Sebastian Professional

Photography assistants: Darren Chan, Gabe Chen, Zantz Han

Assistant stylist: Debby Kwong

Additional assistance: Gaby Aw

Download the digital edition from the App Store, Google Play or Magzter

Subscribe to Print

Related articles: