In many ways, Paragon is the beating heart of luxury retail at Singapore’s historic Orchard Road shopping district. Home to renowned maisons, from Gucci and Prada to Givenchy and Saint Laurent, as well as a host of refined food and beverage establishments, it is a distinguished shopping haven for bon vivants the world over. It’s no surprise, then, that Paragon’s 25th-anniversary celebration was a triumphant success—a reminder to visitors and onlookers alike that the mall is an indelible hallmark of taste, culture and luxury.
On 10 September, hundreds of guests graced the mall’s main atrium to celebrate its storied history of sophisticated luxury and timeless elegance. With cocktails and canapés in hand, they bore witness to a striking exhibition that brought the dizzying heights of luxury and style to earth—the 25 for 25: Paragons of Excellence. This remarkable line-up of honourees highlighted three distinct groups that hold a mirror to Paragon’s enduring spirit of success. Innovators: second- and third-generation industry leaders. Creators: trailblazing entrepreneurs, designers and artisans. And muses: inspiring cultural voices and tastemakers of style.
“Marking 25 years is a proud milestone of excellence for Paragon. We have grown beyond a luxury shopping mall into a destination where brands thrive, ideas come alive and generations of shoppers have created memories while experiencing the best in style and service,” remarks Jaylyn Ong, Managing Director of Straits Retail Property Management Services Pte Ltd, which is the property manager of Paragon. “To that end, the 25 for 25: Paragons of Excellence Exhibition stands as a tribute to the visionaries who inspire us to innovate while honouring tradition, and a reflection of our commitment to celebrate heritage even as we shape the future of luxury retail.”
As the honourees mingled with guests, the night’s celebrations were complemented by a stunning array of craftsmanship and artistry. Ferragamo occupied a quarter of the entire event space, showcasing why its long history with Paragon is well-deserved. The bold installation of its Vara shoe featured an exclusive archive of footwear from Florence, including signature designs by founder Salvatore Ferragamo (worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn), as well as a sneak preview of the maison’s vision for Vara’s future.
Also present at the event were several artists, electric in their element—a real-time showcase of Paragon’s role as a curator of culture and creativity. Live poetry writer Adam Tie improvised moving verses on the spot, tailor-made specially for each of his guests. And throughout the night, guests were serenaded with riveting musical arrangements courtesy of award-winning harpist Christabelle Sheum and jazz powerhouse Alemay Fernandez and her band.
To top it all off for Paragon, the addition of new duplex flagship stores, featuring prestigious brands like Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, TOM FORD and Prada, served another reminder that the world can still be your oyster, even after 25 years of staying at the top of your game. If you don’t believe them, there are 25 voices that say otherwise—living testaments to the fact that the future is as bright as you have the vision for it.
