Plus-size New York Chinese fashion influencer Scarlett Hao: ‘I have good style, it just happens to be plus-size’
- China-born Hao never shies away from a bold colour or a statement piece. I know I can always match an item of clothing, she says
- Her 170,000 Instagram followers are inspired by her attitude and out-of-the-box dressing
Scarlett Hao would never shy away from a bright pink knit or a shimmery gold sequin, but the stakes are higher during New York Fashion Week.
When we meet the China-born, New York-based influencer and self-proclaimed girl boss, she is prepping her wardrobe for one of the most important times of year, where her already striking style can get even more creative and colourful.
She hopes that her fearless approach to fashion and street style can inspire other curvy women and her 170,000 Instagram followers to be comfortable in their own skin – and let the world know that Asian women are a diverse group of people.
“I’m promoting this idea that you need to love yourself and feel comfortable about who you are,” she says. “I wanted to tell people that I am Asian, I am Chinese, but I can look any way I want.”
Her Instagram feed features collaborations with a broad range of brands, from independent and big-name luxury labels to plus-size designers and fast fashion. But Hao is not only an advocate for the plus-size community; she is planning to launch an online platform for Asian women, called Asian got U, that provides a space to celebrate all Asian body types, cultures and experiences.
She’s also building up a following in China, with accounts on Weibo, China’s leading microblogging platform, and Xiaohongshu, a social media and e-commerce platform, that offer tips and encouragement for shoppers tackling an environment with far fewer plus-size options.
