Tan Yoong (Chinese: 陈永; 1950 — January 2017) was a Singaporean fashion designer.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Yoong was born as the youngest of six children. He began attending the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1967.[3]

Career

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After leaving the academy, Tan began working as an artist for an advertising firm. He later worked for the advertising agency Batey Ads.[3] In 1975, he participated in his first fashion design competition, the Japan's Kanebo Grand Award, and became the first non-Japanese to win the haute couture segment of the competition. He won a bronze medal in the same segment of the competition in 1977.[4] In 1978, he won the Her World Young Designers Contest.[3][5]

He left Batey Ads in 1979 and established two labels, Tze and Zhen, with BP De Silva Group. The latter closed in 1981, and Tan bought over Tze in 1983.[3] By 1989, the most expensive dress he had designed cost $12,000.[6] He converted his flagship boutique in Lucky Plaza to a bridal salon in 1996.[7]

He was one of the "Magnetic Seven", a group of pioneering fashion designers in Singapore.[8] His creations have been worn by the daughter-in-law of former president of Singapore Ong Teng Cheong and Penny Chang, the wife of Malaysian politician Tan Koon Swan.[3][6]

Death

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Tan died in January 2017 after suffering a head injury during a fall.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Sing, Melissa Gail (25 January 2017). "The Enduring Legacy Of A Singaporean Fashion Icon". Tatler. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  2. ^ Ling, Wessie; Reinach, Simona Segre (2018). Fashion in Multiple Chinas: Chinese Styles in the Transglobal Landscape. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9971650975.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Heng, Melissa (13 January 2017). "Singapore fashion icon Tan Yoong dies after fall". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Fluid Expressions". Singapore Monitor. Singapore. 19 August 1984. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  5. ^ Chew, Mei-Lin (27 November 1978). "Winning ideas that worked". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b Wee, Agnes (11 May 1989). "Wedding creations". Timeszone Central. Singapore. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Bride idea that sells". The Straits Times. Singapore. 29 February 1996. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Crafting one-of-a-kind gowns". The Straits Times. Singapore. 3 March 2007.