A Malaysian-born fashion entrepreneur who built a $5 million brand from a second-hand clothing blog is using her platform to challenge unrealistic beauty standards on social media. Sherlyn Tan, 30, founder of Twenty3AU, models her own designs in unflattering poses to show the reality behind Instagram filters and lighting.
Tan, who moved to Melbourne, has faced harsh criticism online, with comments targeting her appearance. However, she uses these experiences to connect with her 60,000 followers, many of whom thank her for promoting body positivity. 'I totally understand how these young girls feel,' she said. 'It's okay to not look like what Instagram tells you to look like.'
Starting with just $5,000 from a clothing blog, Tan's brand now has over 50,000 customers in 20 countries and four retail stores in Malaysia, plus a pop-up in Melbourne. Despite her success, she remains committed to authenticity, posting candid photos to show that 'the most beautiful girl on Instagram has her bad days too.'
Tan, who studied finance and worked at Groupon, says her journey has been a 'crazy roller coaster ride.' She continues to advocate for mental health, reminding herself and others that 'strength comes from within.'
