Lydea Tan

Style, for Lydea Tan, follows instinct more than any prescribed aesthetic. “I don’t really have a fixed style,” she says. “It depends on my mood.” A vivid palette might brighten a Monday; on other days, she leans into softer, more feminine tones. Ultimately, fashion is her way of choosing the version of herself she wants to bring into the day. That instinct was first cultivated at home.

Growing up, she watched her mother sketch and tailor dresses inspired by the kebaya and Peranakan silhouettes, nurturing an enduring appreciation for craftsmanship that continues to shape the way she dresses today. Victoria Beckham later sparked her affinity for clean, polished style, and she now increasingly seeks out independent designers across Southeast Asia, discovering labels from Vietnam, Malaysia and beyond that reinterpret cultural influences through a contemporary lens.

Accessories provide a constant thread through Tan’s wardrobe—Cartier jewellery and a carefully chosen watch are everyday fixtures. Meanwhile, her collecting instincts move fluidly between timepieces, bags and shoes as her interests evolve. Through it all, her philosophy remains unchanged: fashion should instil confidence. “It’s about how you represent yourself,” she says. “That confidence brings energy to everyone you meet.”