Fashion police

Hat's off

Catching up with Bangkok's Mad Hatter

Interview by Kelly May
Photographs courtesy of Jennifer Su

She's bright, she's bubbly and she's everywhere. She's Jennifer Su. You've seen her presenting the news, you've heard her on Virgin Smooth FM 105, you've listened to her perform, but have you ever seen her without a hat? Probably not, which is why Jennifer is affectionately known as the Mad Hatter.

After moving from Taiwan to Thailand in 1995, Jennifer was doubtful she'd enjoy the same success as she did in her homeland as a singer and performer. Her undeniable talent and boundless energy soon won the hearts of Thai fans and Jennifer established herself as an all around entertainer.

But even with her global success, it is her hats that continue to draw attention. Owning more than 200 hats, Jennifer is certainly the maddest hatter of them all. 

So how did it all start?

When I was a pop singer in Taiwan, I went on tour with my record company to Europe and the South Pacific. There was no hair stylist so we had to do it ourselves. I'm terrible at doing my own hair so I decided to wear a hat instead. The hat also covered my wide forehead, which I despise. I then started to wear hats all the time. Wherever I travelled, I would buy hats. I now have to limit myself to two hats per trip.

Is there any reason why you are never seen without a hat in public?

People used to say that I was bald and had to wear a hat to cover it up. That's simply not true as people can see when I'm anchoring the news on TV Channel 11 Newsline. It's my real hair and there's plenty of it! Wearing hats makes me happy and it saves me styling my hair. My hats have become part of me and my life.

Can you remember your first hat? What was it like?

I bought a Mad Hatter's red and black velvet hat from Disneyland in California.

What was the last hat you bought?

The last hat I bought was a white Italian straw hat with taffeta netting. You'll be able to see it when I release my next album Ballads From The Hat at the end of this year.

What's your favourite hat?

My favorite hat is a black straw hat from England that was given to me as a present from a fan who later died in a car accident. She and her hat will always remain special and dear to me.

What's your least favourite hat?

A old dirty baseball cap that I never wear.

What's your most expensive hat and where did you buy it?

A jack in the box hat from a shop called Hats in the Belfry in Philadelphia. It's a very famous hat shop and the hat cost 28,000 baht.

Where do you buy your hats?

I buy my hats from all over the world.

What's the largest hat you own?

I own a huge sequin Mexican that people hate because I'm always bumping into them because the brim is so wide.

What's the smallest hat you own?

It's a cute little tequila hat that is too small for a baby.

Do you own any silly hats?

My silliest hat would have to be a David Beckham jester hat.

Are hats popular in Thailand?

In the eight years I've lived here I've certainly noticed more socialites and celebrities wearing hats. I think that's great. Mad Hatters unite!

Jennifer's white Italian straw hat with taffeta netting will feature in her next album.

Jennifer's favourite hat, worth 28,000 baht.

Jennifer has a hat for every occasion, even Songkran.

Jennifer owns more than 200 hats from all over the world.

Vocabulary

bubbly (adj): always cheerful, friendly and enthusiastic
affectionately (adv): showing caring feelings and love for somebody
doubtful (adj): not sure; uncertain and feeling doubt
boundless (adj): without limits; seeming to have no end
bald (adj): having little or no hair on the head
taffeta (n): stiff shiny fabric made from silk or a similar material, used especially for making dresses
bump (v): hit somebody/something accidentally
socialite (n): person who goes to a lot of fashionable parties and is often