An unbreakable bond: Velda Tan’s story of strength and how motherhood redefined her resilience

The duality of strength

Through it all, Tan’s definition of strength has evolved. Where once she measured grit in solitary achievement, she now finds it in the quiet courage of vulnerability amid life’s uncertainties. “Motherhood taught me what true strength is about,” she muses. “To see and be seen, and to be able to show myself grace through every part of my journey, even the messy and uncertain ones.” She goes on to describe motherhood as having both a softening and strengthening effect on her. “It has taught me to let go of perfection, control and the pressure to have it all. But above all, it has deepened my capacity to love and grow,” she shares.

Bold yet tender; strong yet vulnerable; resolute yet yielding: the duality of strength has become a cornerstone of Tan’s journey as a mother. It is also beautifully mirrored in Tiffany & Co’s HardWear collection, one of the brand’s most definitive collections of late that encapsulates the spirit of modern femininity—unapologetically powerful, effortlessly elegant.

In 1971, then in‑house designer Donald Claflin created a unisex bracelet featuring gauge links, a polished orb and a padlock charm that was playfully nicknamed the “Ball and Chain”. Nearly five decades later in 2017, this archival design was reborn as the HardWear collection: a range of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings that channel New York City’s raw industrial energy and indomitable spirit. The collection has continued to evolve since, offering sophisticated new interpretations crafted in materials ranging from sterling silver to rose gold and black titanium, and which come plain or embellished with pavé diamonds and even lustrous pearls. Every piece reaffirms the collection’s ethos: an expression of love’s transformative strength. More than just jewellery, the HardWear creations symbolise empowerment, independence and strength redefined—celebrating the complexity of women and the grace in their resilience.

These qualities resonate deeply with Tan. “When I think about Tiffany & Co’s HardWear collection, I’m reminded of the unbreakable bond between mother and child, and the transformative journey of motherhood itself,” she says. Certain HardWear pieces hold even more significance. After the birth of Eleyna—whom Tan calls her “miracle baby”, conceived via IVF after two years of trying for a baby and a miscarriage—Tan commemorated the milestone moment with a pair of yellow gold HardWear earrings and a matching bracelet. “They represent triumph over adversity,” she shares. “Every time I wear them, it brings me back to my journey and the strength it took to get here.”

Read more: How I’m Making It: Power couple Velda Tan and Frederick Yap on navigating business, parenthood and love

Tan’s connection to jewellery, and to Tiffany & Co in particular, has always been deeply symbolic. Every piece she owns tells a story, honouring her journey and celebrating her achievements. Her first piece from the brand, for instance, was a silver padlock necklace purchased to commemorate a milestone in her first business venture. Jewellery, to her, is “not just [an accessory; each piece is a memento] of where I’ve been and what I’ve overcome.”

A legacy forged in love

Just as Tiffany & Co crafts pieces meant to last generations, Tan hopes to pass on a meaningful legacy to her children, one marked by “grace, compassion, hard work and tenacity”, she says without hesitation. “I want them to grow up knowing that setbacks are part of growth. The real measure of strength is not about never falling, but about getting back up and trying again.”

Tan credits her own mother for these lessons. Watching her juggle a full‑time job while raising three children with a physical condition taught Tan what unconditional love looks like. “My mother led by example,” she says. “I only wish for my children to experience the same love I was shown.”

With two daughters, Tan is especially mindful of what it means to raise strong women. “I want them to know that it’s okay to take up space, to lead with the heart and to lean on others when needed,” she says. “I’ll remind them that their softness is not a weakness—it’s part of what makes them powerful.” And to mothers walking their own path, whether marked by certainty or struggle, she offers this: “You’re the best mother for your children. There’s no need to compare your journey with anyone else’s.”

Just like the interlocking links of the Tiffany & Co HardWear creations, Tan’s motherhood story speaks to bonds that cannot be broken: that between mother and child, struggle and triumph, and vulnerability and resilience. These bonds are evident in the way her children see her and Ellery encapsulates this beautifully: “I love my mummy because she is strong, beautiful, and kind.” It’s a simple yet profound testament to the impact of a mother’s love and also serves as a poignant reminder that the most beautiful strength of all is the one that endures.

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