Spotlight On YAFies: Miko Ku

Miko Ku
Standard Chartered Arts in the Park 2025 Costume Designer

What inspired you to become an artist?
Since I was little, I’ve had a passion for drawing and dressing up. One day, I happened to see a recruitment ad for an illustrator for a stage costume company. I mustered up the courage to apply and got the job!
To begin with, I only drew sketches, but gradually I learned to make headdresses and costumes. It was a rewarding learning process – fun and challenging. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
It’s so fulfilling to see performers bring my designs to life on stage. That feeling keeps me going.

When did you first take part in Standard Chartered Arts in the Park?
2018.

Describe Standard Chartered Arts in the Park in three short sentences:
‧   Each year has a surprising new theme.
‧   It’s a global cultural party.
‧   It wows kids and adults alike.

What are the steps of creating a carnival costume?
The process is creative and experimental, but there are a few key steps.
First, get really familiar with the carnival theme. Whether it’s a story, a character, or a piece of text, understanding the theme helps define the direction of your design.
Next, use the theme to explore interesting details like shapes and colours.
Finally, select your materials. It’s important to pick fabric and other materials that are suitable for your design. Pay extra attention to the complex parts of the design to make sure the samples meet your expectations.

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Which step do you find the most challenging and why?
During the creative process, the most challenging parts are designing the cuttings and selecting the right fabrics to achieve the desired look and function. The texture, thickness and weight of the fabrics all affect the costume’s appearance and movement, and also whether it’s comfortable to wear. The performer’s mobility and the costume’s weight are important considerations. You need to balance aesthetics and practicality.

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Which details of your carnival costumes would you like the audience to pay attention to this year?
Look out for the Celebration’s Delight costume in the Night Parade. It’s inspired by plants and birds in nature, and was designed to convey a feeling of pure joy and festive rhythm.
The design of the sleeves is a highlight. They’re created to mimic a bird’s posture. I used carved fabrics and collage to create feather-like pieces and layer them with stiff tulle to make them puffy. Underneath the fabric, LED lights make the costume shimmer in the dark, so it comes alive like a bird in the night sky.
I hope the audience can appreciate the passion for nature, and for the festival, and the thought that went into every detail, as well as the beauty of the costume.

In The Adventure of Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy always guides Pinocchio. Who is your “Blue Fairy” in art?
My current supervisor at work is my mentor. She guides my creative work and also helps me grow. Whenever I face a creative block, she’s always patient and helpful, offering advice and helping me see things from new angles. She has also helped me improve my drawing skills.
One time, she challenged our team to sketch and colour as many designs as possible in one hour, every day for a week. It was an intense challenge, but it really sharpened my skills and creative efficiency.
Like the Blue Fairy, she guides me when I’m lost and pushes me when I’m stuck. I feel lucky to have met her on my artistic journey.

What do you do when you lack inspiration?
When I lack inspiration, I step away from my work and wander through the city. Sometimes, a glimpse of light on a street corner or a simple conversation with a stranger can spark new ideas.
I also love visiting museums. The quiet, contemplative atmosphere never fails to remind me why I began my journey in art. Sometimes, you don’t find inspiration, it finds you.

What advice do you have for young people who are passionate about the visual arts?
Just go ahead and draw, try things out, and create! Chase your dreams and test your ideas. Don’t let mistakes or questions like “What is that?” stop you. Every trial, every attempt, adds to your unique style. Creating is like playing video games – the more you practise, the easier it is to reach higher levels. You might get stuck on a particular level and feel lost, but having dreams, courage and resilience means you’re already on the right path.
The only real limits are those you create yourself.