Nicholas Tan brings Singapore’s It-Bag into Manila’s art scene

You’ve probably seen the bag. Maybe on Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Hailey Bieber or even Olivia Rodrigo.

Now, the Singapore-born AUPEN has landed in Manila—and its founder Nicholas Tan is bringing more than just the bags with him.

Here’s what to know:

1. From Singapore’s “it” bag to Manila

AUPEN has become one of those fashion names that quietly turned into a global celebrity favorite. Its sculptural silhouettes have found their way onto some of the biggest names in pop culture, making the brand’s bags as recognizable on the street as they are on the red carpet.

But for Tan, the appeal goes beyond who’s carrying them.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, he said, “I love the creative energy of Manila.” And that energy is the reason he chose the city for his first solo exhibition.

2. The bag is only the beginning

For Tan, a bag can be more than something you carry.

“Bags are another canvas,” he says.

That idea is at the centre of his Manila show, where the visual language he developed through fashion moves into sculpture, painting, installation, and text.

It’s less fashion exhibition and more a look into what happens when a designer gets to create without having to think about whether something needs to be wearable.

3. What happens when a bag stops being a bag?

One of the main forms in the exhibition comes from the silhouette of AUPEN’s Purpose bag.

Take away the handles. Take away the hardware. Take away its function.

What’s left is simply a shape.

Tan plays with that shape throughout the exhibition, turning something originally designed to be carried into something that can be looked at, remembered, or interpreted differently.

4. Celebrity-approved, but make it personal

Yes, the celebrity names are impressive. But this show isn’t really about the celebrity association.

It’s about the ideas behind the objects.

Tan describes some of the pieces as feeling like reminders of himself—a more personal side of a creative practice that started with fashion but is now moving into contemporary art.

5. And, of course, there are bags

The exhibition will also feature AUPEN pieces, including two purple Nirvana bags created exclusively for Manila.

One comes in a limited run of 125 pieces, each signed by Tan in homage to 125 PROJECTS.

The Purpose bag will also be available exclusively through the exhibition and gallery in Black, Tweed Blue, and Tweed Sakura.

6. Manila gets the first look

Presented by 125 PROJECTS, Tan’s first solo exhibition opens 18 August 2026 at 6PM at NBS Park, 125 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City.

It runs until 30 August 2026.