The Collectors Report 2016: Mae Tan, The Jacket Arbiter
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. First up, jacket arbiter Mae Tan
MAE TAN (@MARXMAE)
THE JACKET ARBITER
Fashion scion of multi-brand boutique, Surrender, Mae has amassed over 200 jackets spanning sports luxe to vintage mod. The blogger is also an adventure junkie and TV host on TLC, who can be seen trying anything, even deep sea diving with sharks in Indonesia.
When did you start collecting jackets?
Since my early teens. I was never a girly girl, so it always had to do with a tailored aesthetic
beyond functionality. I love the versatility of outerwear—you can mix and match it a hundred
different ways and completely transform an outfit just by throwing a cool jacket on top.
What do you look for in a jacket?
It’s hard to say, because I’ll try everything once, and that philosophy spans fashion, beauty and life in general. At the moment, I’m still riding the sports-luxe wave.
Where do you get your jackets from?
I love shopping at flea markets because that’s where I find truly one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.
I also have the privilege of travelling often, going to the European fashion weeks for work—
as part of the marketing team for Surrender, I attend shows and visit showrooms with the buyers.
So if I find something I like from a unique brand or store, I get it.
What are your current obsessions?
I’m obsessed with Christian Dada. From bombers and plaid jackets, to fur coats...
I love the brand’s dark sensibility, avant-garde aesthetic and couture-like treatments—luxe fabrics and
intricate embroidery. We were at Masanori Morikawa’s (founder and designer of Christian Dada)
first show as part of the main line-up at Paris Fashion Week this year.
What’s your most coveted piece?
A Balmain black and white leather biker jacket. I had lusted over this for as long as I could remember,
and it was only two years ago in Paris that I finally got it—thanks to my father.
The family was there for fashion week and we just happened to see this in-store when
my father said to me, “why don’t you buy jackets like this?” and suggested he buy it for me.
Well, if he was willing to pay for it, who am I to decline? I have the best dad ever.
What’s on your wish list?
Pieces from Christian Dada's spring/summer 2016 collection and a Visim sushi chef jacket or kimono.
The most recent item checked off my list is a comfy hoodie by Misbhv.
This is the first 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
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