PHILIP OW is sitting in what could very well pass off as a gentleman’s club: leather sofa chairs, dark wood panels and men dressed in fashionable apparel. The room exudes a very luxurious mood and one may think Ow lucky to find himself in this setting — which, incidentally, is his place of work.

Ow is assistant store manager at Ermenegildo Zegna in The Paragon, the high-end mall located along Orchard Road.

He has been with the luxury brand for five years; when he joined them he was already holding a top position in a fashion boutique, but he was willing to start all over again, selling Zegna items on the floor, because he was aware he had to first learn about the rich tradition and culture the Italian brand represents before he could take on other tasks.

Today his staff number to 10 and among his duties and responsibilities is educating and training the sales people. He also makes sure Zegna’s clients leave the store satisfied. “People come to our store because they want something, and so we make sure to give them what they want and came here for,” he says.