Founded in 2010, MAX.TAN is a Singapore-based brand founded by a designer of the same name that experiments with volume, modified shapes, masculine, feminine, de/reconstruction, and transformation. The designer graduated in 2006 at the top of his class in Fashion Design from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and from there went on to show his first collection at the Singapore Fashion Week in 2007. He was awarded the second runner-up position at the Singapore Fashion Designers Content.
The brand prides itself on its creation of austere moods through dramatic tailoring and draping. This new collection titled CLOISTERED is self-described as “drawing inspiration from two different sets of uniforms [and transcending] military and religious norms. Vulnerability is seen between seams secured with hardware tools. Fragility is revealed with an exercised sense of control.”
Today, max.tan is stocked in key retail outlets throughout Singapore, as well as making its first inroads in the international retail scene. The A/W 2010-11 collection, which debuted in Amsterdam, was subsequently featured by Vogue Paris online and went on to win second place at the China Fashion Creation Contest 2010. His following S/S 2011 collection was picked up by Vogue Nippon and Surface Asia calls max.tan one of the hottest new names to look out for in fashion.
Apart from designing for his label, Max also lectures at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. He also enjoys exploring new places, incorporating the new experiences and the people he meets into his ever-evolving creations.
Photography by May Lin Le Goff
“In the absence of peace, everything ceases to exist. The universal formula of peace remains a divisive issue. Humans believe in the efficacy of two opposite extremes – military and religion, to attain peace. We live in the world where different ideologies strive for the same ideals. When different beliefs are in search of a common ground, possibilities are endless. A continuous composition of the opposites, it is about the strong and the weak, the peace and the violente, the freedom and the seclusion.”
For additional information please visit www.max-tan.com
Instagram // @maxtanstudio #maxtan
Facebook // www.facebook.com/ maxtansingapore
