Tina Tan Leo: Elevating Asian Fashion Designers From Local To Global
Tina Tan-Leo clearly has an eye for fashion. She is credited for introducing more than 70 style brands – including global iconic labels Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Chloe, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Manolo Blanik, Vera Wang and Versace – to Singapore and across South East Asia.
Her passion for fashion goes back to the early 1980s when she founded The Link, a multi-label luxury fashion boutique. Nowadays, her eyes are set on Asian designers, with a particular interest in Filipino fashion designers.
JC Buendia for The Privato Club x Fashion Design Council Philippines
Aranaz handcrafted fashion handbag
I met Tina a few months back through a common friend. Having worked in the fashion industry myself, I felt an immediate kinship as we talked about fashion. We have since been seeing each other almost every week. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious. A huge part of our conversations were about Filipino designers, for whom she has nothing but high praises.
“The Filipinos are so talented, and have beautiful hand-made items,” she said. I agreed emphatically as she spoke about wanting to help introduce Filipino designers to Singapore, a stepping-stone to her long-term vision of taking Asian fashion designers to the global stage.
“Now is the time for Asian designers, I see them in the global fashion industry as today’s leaders in this new world of ours,” she stated with certainty, referring to the near post-pandemic future. Given her much-deserved respect in the industry, there’s no doubt she can make it happen.
“I enjoy bridging creatives to customers and providing that extra service needed so others appreciate the beauty in simple aesthetics. I love having everything around well put, and my hands like to do the work,” she explained as she showed me around her showroom in Holland Village.
Every small detail is well thought-out, and as she introduced to me the brands she carries, she described each designer’s talent and must-have factor.
In the early 2000s, Tina created her own label alldressedup, which robed the likes of Michelle Yeoh and Lucy Lui. In addition, alldressedup was available worldwide from Saks Fifth Avenue and Harvey Nichols to Lane Crawford and Net-A-Porter.
“It is time our local designers make a ripple. It can be done because there is so much talent,” she passionately adds. “It’s not just about Singapore talent but also all our neighbors’ talents combined. And working together as a team is really what would set the wheels turning.”
Her positive outlook and open mind are what make her spot talent in every designer. Last year Tina was appointed lead curator and retail consultant for TaFF (Textile and Fashion Federation) of Singapore, although she has been working with the CEO of TaFF and also behind-the-scenes for more than 30 years as adviser and luxury industry expert.
“I love seeing young designers and nurturing them to achieve the best they can be in all levels… from quality, manufacturing, design, merchandising sales,” she said.
She now has a team at Design Orchard, which is a showcase that integrates retail and incubation space under TaFF to help young local talent in Singapore. The government building is conveniently located on Orchard Road, Singapore’s fashion mecca, and is a wonderful retail oasis for shoppers and designers alike looking for Singapore’s best creatives. Under her leadership, Design Orchard is where she nurtures and equips young talent with effective merchandising, product knowledge and skills to elevate customer experience.
Her vision for Asian fashion designers is limitless. She founded Privato 2013, a private luxury shopping service for high-net-worth individuals, curating private trunk shows and creating elevated shopping experiences for top VIP clients. Privato also offers consultancy services to brands entering the new Asian market, connecting brands with strategic partners and consults with luxury malls on their brand mix.
“Privato collaborates with luxury brands to connect them to clients,” she said. Clients have been her loyal customers for decades who trust her taste and advise when it comes to their shopping needs.
Tina is full of energy and is fast – her taste and eye for fashion outpace trends. Her team is small and tight, and everyone has to be as quick and on the ball as she is.
She personally writes all Privato’s cards with her signature script handwriting, and visiting her showroom is a treat, similar to private showrooms in Europe, but not as common in Asia.
With her over 30 years of experience in the luxury and contemporary retail and distribution business, an extensive international network of brand contacts across the globe and an all-encompassing knowledge, Tina is in the best position to elevate Asian fashion designers from local to global. Any designer would wish to have a moment with her eyes and time focused just on them.
Karmela | ws
Photo: Wee Khim Studio
Catch the exclusive by-appointment-only Philippine Collective Pre-Christmas event from 1 - 30 November at The Privato Club showroom at 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #03-74, Singapore 278115. For enquiries and booking: info@privato.asia or call +65 6920 6944
