Velda Tan is one of those people who makes you feel like you’re speaking very fast. We’re in a shop chatting about her two decades in the Singapore style landscape, and while my questions are coming fast and furious, the 36- yr- old’s answers are measured, and her tone soft and intelligent.
When she says that after eight years of running a strong trend company, she felt like she was burned out and needed a break, you believe her. Not because you think she could n’t keep up with fast fashion’s frenetic pace, but because you get an inkling that someone like her might thrive better in a slower and more mindful setting.
” I realised what my strengths and weaknesses are very quick on”, said Tan. ” And it felt like the fast fashion model is n’t what I’m aligned with. I know my shortcomings are in points like operations and satisfaction, and that naturally, I’m a creative man”.
HOW LOVE, BONITO CAME ABOUT
Those familiar with the history of the Singapore fashion scene for the younger generation and after did know that Velda Tan, along with her sister Viola Tan and friend Rachel Lim, started a blog selling their pre- loved clothes for more pocket money in 2005, and how that grew into BonitoChico, a pioneer of nearby online retail.