Asia’s brightest sartorial stars gathered last month at the ultra-luxe Palazzo Versace Macau for the inaugural ELLE Style Awards Asia 2024. It’s the first time that an Asian instalment of the prestigious event—launched in London in 1997 to honour emerging talents and trailblazers—has taken place, and it saw five editions from across the region participating in the momentous occasion.
For this first instalment, the awards brought together influencers from Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, turning the hotel into a veritable style haven of who’s who. Among the list of awardees were Singapore’s very own Mae Tan and Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, who most definitely brought their A-game to the ceremony.
Both have a knack for redefining style on their own terms, bringing a fresh, fearless energy to Singapore’s fashion landscape. With Mae’s daring streetwear sensibility and Aimee’s effortless elegance, these two are truly shaping how the world sees Singapore fashion.
In this ELLE exclusive, we take a closer look at their unique journeys and the inimitable styles they bring to the table.
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The Trendsetter: Mae Tan, 30
For diehard fashionista Mae Tan, being crowned “The Trend Setter” feels like destiny fulfilled. “Honestly, I am super excited and honoured,” she shares. “I’ve been waiting for this since I was 12. I’m really glad that I’m finally getting acknowledged for doing what I do.”
A self-professed fashion chameleon who prefers baggy jeans and vintage tees over dresses, her earliest memories of fashion are from her teens. “I was super into flea markets when I was 13 or 14 years old, spending weekends just hanging out and seeing what people were selling.” Inspired, she began documenting her outfits, thoughts, and daily adventures on a blog, realising people enjoyed following her journey. “I didn’t think blogging would take me anywhere, but it’s honestly been a dream.”
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As her platform grew, she transitioned to television and later appeared in Netflix’s Singapore Social (2019). She credits her mentor, Nadya Hutagalung—with whom she co-hosted travelogue Wondernesia (2015)—for inspiring her to push creative boundaries. Today, Mae is the co-founder of Magic System, a boutique creative consultancy that pushes out brand campaigns and events for luxury brands such as Marina Bay Sands, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Valentino, and more. “Starting Magic System was huge. When we organise events that challenge us creatively, it feels amazing.”
Reflecting on the awards night, she shares: “I think the fact that ELLE is bringing together creatives from across Asia to celebrate the region’s top industry players is amazing—collaboration is something we should all be heading towards.”
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As Mae looks ahead, she’s hoping to launch a YouTube channel for her fans. She explains: “I don’t show enough of what we really do behind the scenes, and hopefully, next year, we’ll have that chance.” Although TikTok is on the rise, she feels YouTube offers a more holistic experience, saying, “I love film, I love information, I love visuals; I don’t want to see three-second content. Long-form is still king.”
Mae’s journey from flea market enthusiast to style icon has been a whirlwind filled with self-discovery and creativity. And as she evolves, she’s determined to stay true to herself, setting trends on her own terms.
The Change Maker: Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, 29
In a room brimming with well-heeled individuals, Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw stands out with her statuesque height and exotic Pan-Asian features. An alum of Asia’s Next Top Model (2015), the leggy model embodies a fusion of style and substance. But even after being crowned “The Change Maker”, she’s characteristically humble: “My first reaction when I found out I was nominated for the awards was just pure and utter shock. Honestly, I just do what I do because I love it, so I wasn’t expecting to get any recognition for it. I’m just really thankful to ELLE for choosing me. It feels empowering.”
Her personal style is best described as effortlessly cool, a “model-off-duty” vibe with a mash-up of “clean and grungy.” Denim, comfortable basics, and mixed-metal maximalist accessories are her staples, creating a balance of comfort and edge.
With a career spanning the runway to beauty campaigns, and now, acting (check her out in 2023 meWatch miniseries Kisses from Death), Aimee has seen herself evolve from “an introvert” with childhood dreams to an influential figure in fashion. But she admits that she never set out to be a style icon. “Even now, I feel a tinge of imposter syndrome,” she shares. “I just go with what I like, and the fact that it resonates with people is incredibly humbling.”
Her focus on staying true to herself is at the heart of her approach: “In a space where there are so many creators coming in every single day, it’s easy to just kind of get lost in all of it. Being unapologetically and authentically you is a superpower that I just try to hold on to.”
As she stands on the cusp of new projects, Aimee is eager to see her creativity evolve further. She’s preparing to launch Aimee x Vivre 2.0, her second collection with the activewear brand, and is excited about her next acting role. “There’s another acting project in the works, just something small for now, but I’m hoping it grows because acting is so much fun.”
For Aimee, 2025 is a year she’s dedicated to taking more risks and being a bit braver in creative challenges. “Mindset is everything, and I’m excited to start the new year!”
Photographed by JAYA KHIDIR
STYLED BY JEFFREY YAN
Make-up Artist & Hairstylist for Aimee ZOEL TEE
Make-up Artist for Mae KIMBERLY CHEE
Hairstylist for Mae JUNZ LOKE
Photographer’s Assistants NOWO KASTURI; TAWFIQ ISMAIL