As Fashion Looks East, Elijah Tan Is Already There
From the runway to the recording studio, Elijah is building a career where creativity extends far beyond fashion
- Elijah Tan turned a childhood surrounded by modeling into a career helping shape the next generation of Asian fashion.
- Between campaigns and castings, he finds balance through music and a creative outlook that extends far beyond fashion.
An early start
Fashion has always had a way of reinventing its leading men. Every few seasons, a new face arrives, carrying with him a different perspective on masculinity and identity.
Across Asia, that shift is becoming increasingly visible. Models are stepping into the global conversation with careers that extend beyond the runway, blurring fashion with music, digital culture, and personal storytelling.
Singaporean-Thai model Elijah Tan belongs firmly to that category. A former VMAN Southeast Asia cover star, he fronted the magazine’s Spring/Summer 2025 issue as one of the defining faces representing Singapore, underscoring the publication’s vision of spotlighting the region’s rising talent on an international stage.
His career has since continued to mirror the ascent of Asian creatives in fashion, where representation is the foundation for shaping the industry’s future.
Raised around fashion by two parents who both worked as models, Elijah entered the industry with an understanding that glamour is only one part of the equation. Behind every campaign is discipline. Behind every editorial is preparation. What appears on the page is often the product of countless castings and an ability to keep evolving without losing sight of yourself.
For him, fashion was never a distant aspiration. It was simply part of growing up.
“I’ve always been interested in fashion and enjoyed expressing myself through the way I dress.”
“On top of that, both of my parents used to model, so growing up, I was constantly hearing stories about their experiences in the industry. Listening to them talk about their work inspired me to explore modeling for myself and eventually pursue it as a career.”
Beyond the runway
Fashion has always been an extension of how Elijah already lives. Whether he’s traveling or spending time with friends, documenting what he wears comes naturally.
“Creating fashion content has always come naturally to me because it’s something I genuinely enjoy,” he says. “Whether I’m out with friends or traveling, I’ll often take the opportunity to share outfit inspiration or style-related content.”
His authenticity is one of his greatest strengths. While audiences increasingly gravitate toward creators who feel accessible, Elijah sees his influence as an unexpected outcome.
“I don’t see it as a responsibility, but I think it’s rewarding when people tell me they’ve been inspired by something I’ve posted.”
“If that encourages someone to be more confident in expressing themselves, that’s something I’m happy to contribute to.”
Fashion’s biggest opportunity
The industry has made notable progress in expanding representation over the last decade. Asian creatives have become increasingly visible across campaigns, runway shows, and editorial covers, while regional fashion scenes continue to command greater global attention.
Elijah believes that momentum is real: “I think the industry has done a great job of bringing together people from different backgrounds and creative fields through fashion,” he says.
But representation, he argues, is only the beginning. The industry’s next challenge is encouraging individuality without policing what that individuality should look like.
“Everyone expresses themselves differently, and there should always be room for people to showcase their personality and character through style.”
The life beyond
Away from castings and campaigns, Elijah returns to another creative language entirely: music.
Whether he’s DJing, playing the guitar, or sitting at the piano, it has become his way of decompressing after the pace of fashion.
“Music has always been my way of unwinding and processing emotions. Whether it’s DJing, playing the guitar, or sitting down at the piano, music helps me disconnect from the stress and reconnect with myself.”
Having grown up surrounded by music, Elijah sees it as the creative outlet that keeps everything else in balance, one that may ultimately shape his career as much as any campaign or runway.
As Asian talent continues to occupy a larger share of fashion’s global stage, the industry’s next leading men will be remembered for the images they create and for the identities they bring into them.
From representing Singapore to building a career that spans fashion and digital culture, Elijah Tan is redefining what it means to be a modern Asian model.
The industry’s spotlight continues to widen, but what sets him apart is his creative curiosity and measured perspective he brings every time the cameras begin to roll.
Photography Bjorn Michael
Frequently Asked Questions
Elijah Tan is a Singaporean-Thai model and former VMAN Southeast Asia cover star. He represented Singapore on the magazine’s Spring/Summer 2025 issue and is part of Asian creatives making their mark globally.
Elijah was inspired by his parents, who both worked as models. Growing up hearing about their experiences sparked his interest in fashion and eventually led him to pursue modeling professionally.
He believes the fashion industry has become more inclusive by bringing together people from different backgrounds and making representation more visible, saying the industry can continue to improve by encouraging individuality and allowing people to express themselves without judgment.
Elijah focuses on what he can control instead of dwelling on rejection or criticism. He believes confidence comes from staying healthy, doing his best, and not tying his self-worth to casting results or other people’s opinions.
Outside of fashion, he enjoys music and uses it as a way to relax and stay grounded. He spends time DJing, playing the guitar, and playing the piano, which Elijah says helps him reconnect with himself after busy shoots and travel.
