Phyllis Kao is rewriting the script of what it means to be an auctioneer. Gone are the days when authority on the podium was synonymous with a stuffy, British accent and a stodgy demeanor. Kao's arrival has disrupted this tradition, bringing with her a modern model of command that blends theatricality, scholarship, and unapologetic individuality.
The 37-year-old auctioneer from California is not your average auctioneer. Born to Taiwanese parents in the US, she grew up navigating two cultures, which has become a hallmark of her style. Her approach to auctions is one of deliberate pacing, psychological nuance, and an innate understanding of what keeps audiences engaged. She calls herself "the conductor" of the sale, expertly steering the room through the ebbs and flows of bidding.
Kao's path to becoming a leading auctioneer has been unconventional. After graduating from Columbia with a degree in Chinese history, she took a temporary job at a small auction house in Northern California, where her Mandarin skills earned her a spot calling bids on six-figure Chinese oil paintings. It was an accidental gig that turned into a full-time one, and eventually led to her being invited to take the rostrum herself.
What sets Kao apart is her fearlessness and willingness to disrupt the status quo. She has been at Sotheby's for nearly a decade and is now senior vice president of client strategy. Her visibility intensified in 2023 with her starring role in the Now Evening Auction, which went white-glove and catapulted her into the spotlight.
Kao's cultural relevance extends beyond the art world. Her appearance in the viral Alexis Bittar campaign marked a crossover moment, signaling that she was no longer just an auctioneer but a brand ambassador of sorts. The New York Times' Most Stylish list in 2024 further solidified her position as a leading figure in the industry.
The evolution of the auction world is largely credited to Kao's ascension. Evening sales have become broadcast events, with the podium serving not just as a platform but also as a stage designed for cameras and live streaming. Power is no longer private; it's on full display.
Kao's influence extends beyond her own performances, too. Her peers – such as Helena Newman at Sotheby's Europe and Sarah Kruger at Phillips – have become cornerstones in their respective institutions. Kao observes that parity has improved within the industry, with more women taking up prominent roles.
But excellence is not a performance trick for Kao; it's an ingrained discipline. She meticulously prepares for each sale, rehearsing her lines, pacing, and even meditating to stay focused. Her love of fashion plays a significant role in directing attention, setting tone, and building narrative – designers now approach her with bespoke pieces.
Kao approaches her career without strategic planning, opting instead for an openness that allows her to seize opportunities as they arise. "Trust yourself" is her mantra, emphasizing the importance of trusting one's instincts, abilities, and potential.
For Kao, the stakes are high – not just personal but also cultural. The auction world has long been built on fantasies of power being neutral and money being a matter of taste. She walks into this system with charm, fluency, strategy, performance instinct, and charisma that does not apologize for itself. As she reshapes what authority looks like on the rostrum, Kao reminds us that excellence can be both rigorous and visible. The room is hers to control; it's now Phyllis Kao.
The 37-year-old auctioneer from California is not your average auctioneer. Born to Taiwanese parents in the US, she grew up navigating two cultures, which has become a hallmark of her style. Her approach to auctions is one of deliberate pacing, psychological nuance, and an innate understanding of what keeps audiences engaged. She calls herself "the conductor" of the sale, expertly steering the room through the ebbs and flows of bidding.
Kao's path to becoming a leading auctioneer has been unconventional. After graduating from Columbia with a degree in Chinese history, she took a temporary job at a small auction house in Northern California, where her Mandarin skills earned her a spot calling bids on six-figure Chinese oil paintings. It was an accidental gig that turned into a full-time one, and eventually led to her being invited to take the rostrum herself.
What sets Kao apart is her fearlessness and willingness to disrupt the status quo. She has been at Sotheby's for nearly a decade and is now senior vice president of client strategy. Her visibility intensified in 2023 with her starring role in the Now Evening Auction, which went white-glove and catapulted her into the spotlight.
Kao's cultural relevance extends beyond the art world. Her appearance in the viral Alexis Bittar campaign marked a crossover moment, signaling that she was no longer just an auctioneer but a brand ambassador of sorts. The New York Times' Most Stylish list in 2024 further solidified her position as a leading figure in the industry.
The evolution of the auction world is largely credited to Kao's ascension. Evening sales have become broadcast events, with the podium serving not just as a platform but also as a stage designed for cameras and live streaming. Power is no longer private; it's on full display.
Kao's influence extends beyond her own performances, too. Her peers – such as Helena Newman at Sotheby's Europe and Sarah Kruger at Phillips – have become cornerstones in their respective institutions. Kao observes that parity has improved within the industry, with more women taking up prominent roles.
But excellence is not a performance trick for Kao; it's an ingrained discipline. She meticulously prepares for each sale, rehearsing her lines, pacing, and even meditating to stay focused. Her love of fashion plays a significant role in directing attention, setting tone, and building narrative – designers now approach her with bespoke pieces.
Kao approaches her career without strategic planning, opting instead for an openness that allows her to seize opportunities as they arise. "Trust yourself" is her mantra, emphasizing the importance of trusting one's instincts, abilities, and potential.
For Kao, the stakes are high – not just personal but also cultural. The auction world has long been built on fantasies of power being neutral and money being a matter of taste. She walks into this system with charm, fluency, strategy, performance instinct, and charisma that does not apologize for itself. As she reshapes what authority looks like on the rostrum, Kao reminds us that excellence can be both rigorous and visible. The room is hers to control; it's now Phyllis Kao.
she's like a breath of fresh air in the auction world, you know? all that tradition and stuffyness gone, replaced by someone who's actually fun to watch 
i mean, who else can say they're "the conductor" of an auction sale? it's so cool how she navigates two cultures and brings that modern flair to her work. and can we talk about how she's breaking down barriers in the industry too? more women getting prominent roles is a big deal 
what i love most about phyllis kao is that she doesn't play it safe, you know? she takes risks and owns them, and that's something we could all learn from 
. Newsflash: being an expert isn't about taking selfies or attending fashion shows – it's about actually knowing what you're talking about and sharing your knowledge with others 
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. And don't even get me started on how she's 'disrupting' the auction world... like, hello, women have been doing this for centuries already 
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. It's time we start giving more attention to those people instead of just the celebrities 
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, no more boring old suits for her 
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. Her cultural background is so cool, I love how she's bringing that perspective to the art world! 
But can we talk about the platform itself? I mean, it feels like Sotheby's is getting all this attention just because Phyllis Kao is leading the charge 
. What about the rest of us who are still trying to figure out how to use the website without getting lost in the endless scrolling features 
? And what's up with the lack of moderation? I saw like 3 spam comments on my last post, and it was super annoying 
she's literally changing the game of auctions! i mean, who knew being an auctioneer could be so cool? 
she's all about being confident, charismatic, and unapologetic, which is super inspiring. and can we talk about her fashion sense? 
she's literally a style icon in the art world!
, then what's next? I mean, we've got this super polished, high-energy person (Phyllis Kao) dominating the art world and suddenly it's all about drama, flair, and being unapologetically yourself... meanwhile, have you seen the lines for those $5k coffee shops downtown? 
, expertly steering the room through the ebbs and flows of bidding. She's got this fearlessness and willingness to disrupt the status quo that's making waves in the industry 
#DisruptingTheNorm #AuctioneerRebelle
The fact that she's helping pave the way for more women in the industry is also super inspiring. We should totally be celebrating women who are crushing it in their fields and making a real impact. 
to me its all about marketing and image manipulation instead of actual expertise or passion about auctions. what's next gonna be auctioneers with bespoke designer suits and a social media following? 
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. Phyllis Kao's style is everything - she's got sass, charm, and a PhD in Chinese history 
The way she seamlessly blends scholarship and theatricality is pure magic 
. And let's be real, her bold fashion choices are giving me LIFE 
and I think she's a total game-changer for the industry. Her ability to connect with audiences on multiple levels is seriously impressive - I mean, who knew Mandarin skills could be so valuable in auctions? 
We need more people like Phyllis who aren't afraid to speak their mind and show off their unique style.
Her unique blend of cultural background, theatricality, and scholarship is totally on point 
she's literally breaking all the rules in auctions & making them so much more interesting! i love how she's not afraid to be herself & show off her personality, it's so refreshing 