Man About Town Aupe's Singapore founder Nicholas Tan lands British magazine cover

Mr Nicholas Tan, the Singaporean founder of viral bag brand Aupen, can now add "cover star" to his growing list of achievements.

- Louisa Lim

The 35-year-old has become the first Asian designer to front the cover of Man About Town (MAT), a London-based biannual fashion and lifestyle magazine for men that is known for its cinematic editorial spreads and high-profile tastemakers.

Previous cover stars include American punk rock musician Travis Barker, American actor Jeff Goldblum and Oscar-winning Vietnam-born American actor Ke Huy Quan.

In the latest issue released on April 22 that features an interview with Mr Tan, MAT describes him as a designer at the industry's apex.

"Tan's trajectory has always ultimately pointed in one direction—skyward—but now, having arrived at fashion's apex, he's finally pausing to take in the view," says the online and print publication.

Mr Tan's international magazine debut—featuring a series of gritty and cinematic images of his bare, sculpted physique—is a bold statement not just of fashion, but also representation.