What fuels the creative spirit? Passion – that’s right! Through Passion Pursuits, our short-form documentary series, we’re celebrating the diverse talents of Singaporeans who have overcome challenges and forged their own paths in the creative industry. This time, we’re stepping into the world of fashion and content creation with model Dione Tan.
Dione steps into the studio, fresh-faced and effortless, her hair undone and skin radiant under the soft lighting. Dressed simply in a black set, she moves with an easy confidence, exchanging laughter and banter with the team as they prep for the shoot. In the chair, two artists work swiftly – avant-garde hair teased and sculpted, makeup brushed into striking precision. She’s relaxed and engaged in conversation – until she’s not.
The moment she steps in front of the lens, her demeanour shifts. Her expression sharpens, posture locks in, and she commands the frame with practised ease. The shutter clicks away. And just as quickly as she’s stepped into character, the cycle resets with a wardrobe change. A new look awaits.
Time to do it all again.
But Dione’s work extends beyond the studio’s controlled chaos. Represented by Basic Models, she primarily works in commercial modelling, advertisements, and print.
Standing at 168cm, she falls just shy of the typical runway height requirement, but that hasn’t stopped her from landing major campaigns. If you’ve strolled down Orchard Road, you might have seen her face on brand advertisements. She’s run into her billboards herself, and it’s those moments – seeing her own work displayed on the streets – that keep her going.
Dione’s worked with some of the big names – think CHARLES & KEITH, Penhaligon’s, Gentle Monster, and YSL Beauty, to name a few. Her portfolio is nothing short of impressive!
For many, modelling is all about the glitz and glamour. But for Dione, it’s more than that. Whether she’s in front of the camera or curating content behind the scenes, she brings an artistic vision to everything she does. “As long as there’s a big production and I work with people of different roles, I kind of enjoy that,” she shares.
And she’s not just talking about being on set – because with a background in film at LASALLE College of the Arts, Dione has a deeper understanding of the entire production process than most. She’s tried her hand at things like scriptwriting, directing, and sound, which gives her an edge when she’s in front of the camera.
“Sometimes I can just immediately tell what the director wants. And then I will try to kind of translate it in my own way,” she explains.
And it’s that ability to think like a filmmaker while working as a model that sets her apart and shapes her approach when she produces fashion, makeup, and lifestyle content on social media. “I can direct myself, create my own storyboard, and just ideate for myself. So it’s kind of like a win-win situation for me.”
But Dione’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. When she first auditioned for Basic Models in 2018, she didn’t get a contract. However, looking back, she has zero regrets. “I’d rather be rejected than be left on the shelf with a basic contract,” she says matter-of-factly.
Instead of giving up, she honed her craft, built her experience, and kept pushing forward. And by 2021, she tried again…and again – three times in total. This time, she proved how determined she was to Bonita Ma, the agency’s director and co-founder, and finally got signed.
But getting in wasn’t the endgame. Dione had to earn her place. She went through what she calls “hell training” for areas such as posing, runway walking, and personal maintenance. And it was no walk in the park. In an industry where talent alone isn’t enough, her success is a testament to her work ethic.
As a model, Dione dresses for the job, but what about her personal style? Happy-go-lucky – that’s what she calls it. She may be all classy at events one day, and in baggy jorts the next. Despite her polished online presence, Dione describes herself as a big kid at heart!
This mindset has served her well beyond Singapore, too! During a recent placement in Hong Kong, she found the work culture vastly different. “In Singapore, there could be a full-day shoot where everybody would rush like 70 outfits. In Hong Kong, they might just shoot five, and they take their time – it’s quite chill.”
And what did Dione do with that extra time? Why, she experimented with content creation, of course! This led to a viral TikTok where she demonstrated simple posing techniques on the street. People ate it up – and the growth of her account was overwhelming, to say the least. Now, you can find more posing tips and inspo on her account!
As a public figure who regularly posts on social media, Dione has learned to acknowledge that there will always be criticism that comes with her line of work. But when it comes to negative comments – she doesn’t lose sleep over them. “That’s not the end of the world. I’ve got better things to do than cry about someone’s insecurity,” she shared in her video on the Nuggets by Viddsee YouTube channel.
Instead of dwelling on negativity, she channels her energy into her passions, keeping herself focused and driven. Another way she keeps herself “sane” through it all? Fitness. She’s big on working out, rotating between yoga, gym sessions, bouldering, and sometimes pilates. It’s integral to her lifestyle, and she often shares her gym and yoga content on social media.
With her love for fitness, it’s no surprise that sports brands are at the top of Dione’s dream collab list. “Maybe lululemon – and I want it to be a video specifically. Because I want to be able to show more than just posing,” she shares.
She envisions a project that showcases her strength, movement, and action. And with the way she’s going, that dream doesn’t seem far off at all!
Watch Dione in Action!
This was just a glimpse into Dione Tan’s world! Wanna catch her behind-the-scenes? Watch the full episode on the Passion Pursuits YouTube channel, where she preps for an editorial photoshoot at DNMC Studio.
For more inspiring stories from Singapore’s creative scene, subscribe to Passion Pursuits and follow Passion Pursuits on Instagram!
Cover Photo by Brendan Tan of the DANAMIC Team. Additional Visuals Courtesy of Basic Models Management.
