‘360-degree luxury experience’: Fashion house Tom Ford’s power move at Paragon

SINGAPORE – It is the opening day of the Tom Ford flagship at Paragon shopping mall, and Mr Lelio Gavazza, the impeccably dressed chief executive of the American luxury fashion house, savours a rare moment of calm in the boutique.

Flanked by a team that moves with the precision of an orchestra, the 60-year-old Italian runs his hand over the fabric of a brocade suit, pausing to declare: “It’s beautiful, no? You know it’s Tom Ford just by looking at it.”

Based in Milan, Mr Gavazza was in town in mid-January for a two-night visit to inaugurate the brand’s first boutique in Singapore owned and operated by Tom Ford. Several local and regional celebrities, including Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen, were at the event.

Opening its doors in December 2024, the double-storey flagship store is a sprawling 4,585 sq ft. It showcases a comprehensive collection of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, make-up, fragrances and underwear.

But if the brand is synonymous with anything, it is suits.

The magic of Tom Ford’s tailoring owes much to a relentless focus on detail, from the wide, peaked lapels to the intricately hand-stitched details.

As Mr Gavazza says with pride: “This is not a normal jacket. Many customers tell me, ‘When I dress up in Tom Ford, I feel stronger, more handsome, powerful.’”

Then there is the Made-to-Measure section. Nestled discreetly within the store, the exclusive offering is not found in every Tom Ford boutique, making it one of the Paragon flagship’s highlights.

Here, clients can indulge in the ultimate luxury – crafting a bespoke suit for an entry price of $8,000. The process is nothing short of meticulous, from selecting the finest fabrics and linings to choosing personalised details such as lapel styles and monograms. Once the specifications are finalised, the design is sent to Italy, where master tailors from Italian luxury company Zegna Group bring the vision to life.

Such luxury does not come cheap, and in a time of economic turbulence, one might wonder if clients are still willing to splurge on bespoke suits. But Mr Gavazza – who has 22 years of experience in the luxury sector, including his most recent role as regional managing director for Italian luxury fashion house Bvlgari – remains confident in the resilience of the market.

“Clients are looking for something durable and of good quality that represents them in the best possible way,” he says.

He adds that for many, a Tom Ford suit is an investment. “We have a lot of clients in America who buy jackets because they believe they are works of art.”

The story of Tom Ford’s suiting legacy begins with its namesake fashion designer, who is credited with breathing new life into Italian luxury fashion house Gucci.

After transforming it into a global fashion powerhouse, he made a dramatic exit in 2004 to establish his eponymous label.

Few things in a man’s wardrobe rival the elegance of a perfectly tailored suit, and the 63-year-old American’s designs have redefined this sartorial staple. Whether it is dressing English actor Daniel Craig in his James Bond films (2006 to 2021) in timeless black tie, or crafting glittering ensembles for Hollywood’s elite, Ford has elevated the suit.

In 2022, the brand entered a new chapter when it was acquired by The Estee Lauder Companies for US$2.8 billion (S$3.8 billion). As part of the agreement, Zegna Group also assumed responsibility for the operations of Tom Ford’s fashion business.

With Mr Gavazza at the helm since September 2023, Tom Ford has continued its global expansion, with 67 stores and counting across the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

However, he says that the Singapore flagship will set a new standard for the brand.

“It offers a 360-degree luxury experience, encompassing every aspect of the Tom Ford universe. It’s a beautiful representation of what we’re going to do moving forward, and we want to create a space where customers can experience the full breadth of Tom Ford,” he says.

For him, establishing a presence in Singapore is essential.

“This market is quite well recognised for being keen on fashion, but Singaporeans are also looking ahead. They anticipate trends and understand what fashion means in terms of the future and its evolution,” he says.

Tom Ford is also embarking on a new chapter under the creative direction of Haider Ackermann. The designer – renowned for his sharp tailoring and innovative use of colour and modern aesthetic – will debut his vision for Tom Ford at the Winter 2025 womenswear edition of Paris Fashion Week in March.

Ackermann’s appointment – which was endorsed by Ford – follows the departure of British former creative director Peter Hawkings, who was Ford’s trusted right-hand man for nearly 25 years before stepping down in 2024.

Today, while menswear remains the brand’s cornerstone, womenswear has grown into a formidable segment. With Ackermann’s arrival, the brand is doubling down on its commitment to offering women the same bold elegance and craftsmanship that define its menswear.

As Ackermann’s debut approaches, anticipation is building – and Mr Gavazza offers a tantalising glimpse into the upcoming runway show. “Expect collections that push boundaries, with a sharper focus on accessories and ready-to-wear.”

However, even as Tom Ford embraces this fresh direction, Mr Gavazza is clear that its core identity remains the same.

He says: “The evolution of the creative director is part of the brand’s journey, but it is always grounded in our heritage. With Haider, we will focus on the Tom Ford aesthetic while driving this new chapter forward.”