Nicholas Tan

36, Founder of Aupen

For years, style-watchers speculated about the mastermind behind Aupen, the enigmatic Singapore-based handbag brand. Since its 2022 launch, the brand’s sculptural designs have been spotted on pop stars including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Charli XCX.

In late 2024, former Singapore national swimmer Nicholas Tan stepped forward as the founder of the buzzy label. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Harvard University, has modelled for designer campaigns including Dolce & Gabbana’s SS2014 collection and was an early team member at Garena, now known as e-commerce platform Shopee.

Tan ran a fashion showroom in 2018 featuring designers including Dries Van Noten and Joseph Altuzarra before creating Aupen. Last November, Aupen launched its first collection with LVMH Metiers d’Art, which included the Renaissance bag silhouette, earrings and a bag charm. In his words:

I initially focused on building a company with great products, rather than on me as an individual. As we continued to grow, I realised it was time to step out from behind the curtain so we could engage more with our consumers.

Aupen represents a new modernity, bringing fresh designs through heritage craftsmanship techniques. We hope our accessories empower users to embrace individuality and feel confident in all aspects of life – from boardrooms to nights out.

Success is a collective effort – whether it involves the artisans who bring designs to life, your coach who pushes you to grow or the teammates who share similar goals.