In Her Element
Meet 63-year-old Gym Tan, a former fashion executive turned Tiktok star who proves that it’s never too late for one to make a successful career switch as a content creator.
I am part of the 2023 Sephora Squad, which is a super big deal. Only 68 members were selected out of 16,000 applicants, and I’m the first Singaporean.
She’s 63 – and loving every second of her life as a content creator. Former fashion executive Gym Tan has more than 30 years of experience in the fashion business working for brands like Esprit and DKNY, but today she’s creating her own fashion content as a Tiktok star/fashion and style influencer.
With 145K followers on Instagram and 246K followers on Tiktok, Gym has earned herself a strong following who have fallen in love with her cheerful personality and, of course, her impeccable yet relatable style.
Gym says she posted her first Tiktok video sometime in midDecember 2021. Her 24-year-old daughter Mya had encouraged her to start filming her daily outfits, as people would compliment her style or ask where she had gotten her outfits from. Gym was also “in a career rut” after migrating to the United States in 2015.
So, she thought, why not explore a career as a content creator?
Her daughter taught her how to use the app, and the rest is history. Her account went up to 10K followers in three weeks, and it kept on growing. Nine months ago, she decided to go into content creation full-time.
“I am part of the 2023 Sephora Squad, which is a super big deal: first Singaporean ever, and at almost 63 years old! Wow! Only 68 members were selected out of 16,000 applicants,” says Gym, who also counts beauty brands like Glossier, Clairol, La Mer, Estee Lauder, and Bareminerals as some of her clients.
Gym says she finds satisfaction in her new lease of life. “It’s fun and personally fulfilling. It allows me to be my authentic self, and I get to use my creativity and the entire skill set I’ve acquired from my long global fashion career,” she says.
She also reveals that she has never had as much influence as she has today, when she’s in her 60s. “Life gets better as you age, because you have more confidence and presence,” she shares.
Here, she shares some of her favourite brands, and where she draws inspiration from.
My personal style is… Simple, elevated and to the point. It’s pared back – nothing excessive, but still fun and interesting.
I get my fashion inspiration from… Music, movies, people, news, and the joie de vivre of life.
My favourite designers are… Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, Max Mara, and Brunello Cucinelli. I also love many Japanese brands, such as Comme des Garcons, 45R and Yohji Yamamoto.
The best thing about fashion today is… How inclusive it is, and how it’s beginning to embrace and celebrate diversity.
My go-to, fuss-free outfit is… A great top, pants, and a pair of sneakers or sandals.
In my opinion, a fashion faux pas is… When you allow your clothes to wear you.
My most flamboyant fashion purchase is… One of Dries Van Noten’s earlier collections. The theme was very Indian-inspired, and I ended up buying maybe 15 or 16 pieces from just that season, which is pretty excessive. And yes, I still have every single piece.
Something people might not know about me is… I’m a serious runner, and after 30 years,
I’m running my fourth international marathon at the New York City Marathon in November this year.
A misconception people have about age is… That life goes downhill when you hit 50. I’m in my 60s, and it’s the best decade for me so far. I’m busier, more fulfilled, and I feel more energised and younger than I felt in my 40s and 50s.
Through my content, I hope
to… Show that you shouldn’t be afraid of getting older. You can live a wonderful life through a positive mindset and healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating well, prioritising sleep, exercising and having an abundance mindset.
When people don’t agree with my style, I say…
I’m totally fine with that. Personal style is exactly that – it’s personal.