Ahead Of The Curve

Recognising individuality and celebrating diversity is taking Maison Michel forward. Its Artistic Director PRISCILLA ROYER chats with Jacquie Ang on travelling with hats, her different approaches to her role and upcoming offerings.

- Jacquie Ang

Priscilla Royer has only one tip on choosing hats: “Take as many as you want. Go in front of the mirror. Try the hats as quickly as you can and once you stop laughing, you’ll see that you’ve found something that fits.”

The artistic director of Maison Michel is in Singapore as part of a press tour encompassing Hong Kong and Beijing, hosted by On Pedder. Singapore is the first stop and it is Royer’s first visit to the city. “I want to try local food. That’s super important for me – I get a ‘flavour’ of the city. And then I want to do the big tree thing,” she enthuses, alluding to the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay. “Don’t laugh, don’t laugh... I don’t know Singapore!”

Hopefully, Royer gets better acquainted with the city’s landmarks, but Maison Michel is no stranger to Singapore’s sophisticates. Bestsellers include the Jamie cap with ears and the Virginie fedora. “And straw hats, because of Singapore’s tropical weather,” she adds.

While some hats, such as the ones made of felt or fragile straw, need the protection of boxes, the boyish New Abby cap is small and easy to travel with. Panama hats, too, are sturdy enough to pack in your bag. “The more you wear it, the more supple it becomes, and the easier it is to stash it in your hand luggage without squashing it in your suitcase,” Royer says. “Hats can’t stay brand new forever. It gets blown away, you sit on it... so you have to wear your hats. Using it makes it a good hat because it becomes your own hat. If not, it’ll just stay as an object of art you’re scared to touch.”