Suit up for luxury

THERE'S something to be said about the experience of shopping. Not just consumerism in its most perfunctory form, but the luxury of taking the time to appreciate sartorial finery.

Despite the reported downturn in luxury retail, a number of fashion houses have been unveiling their new flagships in the past month, catering to those who still enjoy learning about the pedigree of a new purchase, trying on the latest attire and enjoying the plush interior of a well-appointed boutique.

In the past month alone, several luxury emporiums have made a splash on the retail scene just in time for Christmas shopping: Polo Ralph Lauren's first flagship at Shaw Centre, Kenzo's flagship at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and now, Ermenegildo Zegna's 3,680 sq ft flagship at Paragon. And the latter Italian menswear juggernaut is all out to prove that luxury retail needs to exist in brick-and-mortar to re…