Nicholas Tan
Nicholas Tan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Biology |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
Nicholas Tan is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the founder of Aupen, a luxury handbag brand that gained international acclaim for its minimalist, asymmetrical designs. Established in November 2022, Aupen quickly garnered attention when celebrities like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Olivia Rodrigo were seen carrying its bags, propelling the brand into the spotlight.[1]
Early life and education
Tan attended Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College in Singapore before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Harvard University. He was also a national swimmer, representing Singapore at the 2007 SEA Games, where he contributed to the gold medal-winning men's 4x100m freestyle relay team.[2]
Family
Tan is the second of three children of university lecturer Tan Boon Tiong and his wife Eunice. He has chosen to keep his personal life relatively private, focusing public attention on Aupen and its products.
Career
Aupen
Before founding Aupen, Tan operated a fashion showroom in Asia, introducing designers such as Dries Van Noten and Altuzarra to the region. In 2015, he established East Ocean, a brand incubator that helped commercialize fashion designs for the Asian market. Tan's experience in the fashion industry, combined with his academic background and athletic discipline, provided a unique foundation for launching Aupen. The brand's name, "Aupen," is derived from the words "authentic" and "open," reflecting Tan's vision for a transparent and genuine luxury brand.[3]
Recognition
In 2025, Tan was named to Tatler Asia's Gen.T list, recognizing him as one of Asia's top young leaders shaping the future of business and society.[3]
Legal Controversy and POFMA Order
In September 2025, Tan and Aupen were issued correction directions under Singapore's Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). The Ministry of Law stated that Tan's Instagram posts contained false statements about the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), alleging that IPOS discouraged Aupen from pursuing a trademark dispute with U.S. retailer Target and favored foreign businesses over local ones.[4]
The government clarified that IPOS did not provide legal advice or discourage Tan from taking action. Tan and Aupen were required to publish correction notices on their social media platforms.[4]
References/Citations
- ↑ Tso, Gloria. “How Singapore brand Aupen took the fashion world by storm: founder Nicholas Tan explains the creation of instant ‘It’ bag the Nirvana – which boasts fans including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.” SCMP, 24 May, 2025. Accessed 26 September 2025.
- ↑ Stewart, Melissa. “Singaporean founder of viral handbag brand Aupen: ‘I hope more people in Asia get to know our brand’” CNA Luxury, 8 December 2024. Accessed 26 September 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Schulz, Madeleine. "Why everyone's talking about Aupen." Vogue Business, 28 November, 2024. Accessed 22 September, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Singapore bag brand Aupen and founder issued POFMA correction orders over allegations about intellectual property authority." Channel News Asia, 22 September, 2025. Accessed 22 September, 2025.