Phoenixus Women With Impact Extravaganza 2025

Before the first keynote address echoed through The State Room at Shangri-La Singapore, the atmosphere was already charged with anticipation and joy. The Phoenixus Women With Impact Extravaganza 2025 opened not with speeches, but with an immersive experience — one that invited every participant to reconnect with her sense of beauty, creativity, and purpose.

A Celebration of Self-Expression

Guests began their afternoon exploring the beautifully curated Booth Experiences & Pre-Event Networking segment — a lively constellation of brand and charity partners, each offering more than products or services: they offered transformation.

At the TONI&GUY x K18 booth, participants experienced a moment of rejuvenation — the tactile luxury of having their hair styled and revitalised by professional hands. Laughter and conversation mingled with the soft hum of hairdryers, as women emerged from their chairs renewed, their reflections in the mirror glowing with newfound confidence.

Across the room, the PaoPao Label corner — with its statement sign “Modern Oriental Fashion” — beckoned with an invitation to rediscover style through culture. A draped pao pao cape or modernised cheongsam instantly transformed many visitors; it wasn’t merely about changing clothes, but shifting presence. The garments’ fluidity and structure seemed to echo the event’s deeper message — that empowerment often begins with how one feels within one’s own skin.

Beauty Meets Purpose

Intertwined with these moments of personal transformation were stories of social good. Partner organisations such as Daughters of Tomorrow, Babes Crisis Support, Image Mission, Katsukin Takamura, and NTUC Women’s Wing reminded participants that beauty and empowerment are inseparable from compassion and community.

Every booth — from handcrafted fabrics to hair artistry — became an expression of how creativity can uplift lives. Guests were not simply consumers; they became participants in a shared narrative of giving and transformation.

The Human Canvas

Photographers captured candid portraits of women in motion — hair being styled, fabrics chosen, laughter exchanged. These frames now immortalise that sense of becoming: women turning mirrors into portals of rediscovery.

One participant, caught mid-laughter after her styling session, perfectly embodied the theme “Ignite from Within — Making Impact That Lasts.” The pre-event was more than a warm-up; it was a ritual of transformation — a collective preparation for deeper reflection and dialogue to come.

Panel Dialogue: “Ignite from Within – Making Impact that Lasts”

Guest of Honour: Ms. Yeo Wan Ling
Panelists: Sharon Phoong-Wong, Sim Hwee Hoon, Moderator Kay Poh

The afternoon’s conversation opened with Guest of Honour Ms. Yeo Wan Ling, Member of Parliament for Punggol GRC and Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC. With calm strength and humour, she spoke about the philosophy of “Flow like water,” echoing Bruce Lee’s timeless words:

“Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water.
You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.
You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle.
You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

Ms. Yeo reflected on her own journey — once working overseas, then called back to Singapore during pregnancy. She shared how that pivotal moment reshaped her perspective on leadership and womanhood: that success is not defined by static strength but by the capacity to flow — adapting, nurturing, and yet advancing with quiet power. Her message resonated deeply: women can lead meaningfully while caring for family, and society must continue to enable that balance.

Following her, Sharon Phoong-Wong, Founder and CEO of Motherswork, spoke with the wisdom of an entrepreneur who has built her brand through empathy and endurance. She reminded the audience that “a business is never just about oneself.” Every enterprise, she said, is a living ecosystem sustained by its people — employees, families, and communities. Sharon shared how, through the growth of Motherswork, she discovered that true leadership is found in nurturing others to thrive alongside you — a principle that continues to shape her business ethos.

Sim Hwee Hoon, President of YWCA and seasoned Independent Director, brought a deeply personal reflection. Despite her professional achievements, she revealed that there was a time when she felt a quiet emptiness — success without purpose. It was only when she realigned her path toward service and faith that she rediscovered meaning. Her words, filled with humility, reminded all present that fulfilment is not found in the titles we earn, but in the lives we touch.

As the discussion drew to a close, moderator Kay Poh guided the conversation toward a collective insight: that impact begins within — in self-awareness, courage, and compassion. The panel ended with an uplifting call for solidarity: women empowering women, lifting one another through mentorship, friendship, and purpose-driven action.

Celebrating Purpose through Partnerships

As the afternoon flowed seamlessly from dialogue to discovery, the event culminated in a vibrant showcase of the Booth Experiences & Partner Presentations — each representing not only excellence in craft but also a commitment to community and empowerment.

From beauty and fashion to social impact and mentorship, every partner brought a distinctive voice to the room, echoing the theme of “Ignite from Within.”

TONI&GUY x K18
Bringing artistry and science together, TONI&GUY, in partnership with K18, demonstrated how transformation begins with care. Guests experienced on-the-spot hair consultations and styling, discovering how the right touch — whether through repair treatments or creative design — could restore both confidence and vitality. Their segment reminded everyone that beauty, when rooted in wellness, becomes an act of empowerment.

PaoPao Label

PaoPao Label, with its modern oriental fashion sensibilities, blended heritage craftsmanship with a playful contemporary edge. Their presentation of capes and outerwear inspired by traditional forms invited women to reimagine identity — as fluid, layered, and ever-evolving. PaoPao’s message was clear: to wear beauty with meaning, and to celebrate one’s roots with pride and creativity.

Katsukin Takamura
From Japan came Katsukin Takamura, offering artisanal creations that married precision and artistry. Their showcase reflected the subtlety of Japanese aesthetics — simplicity, harmony, and the beauty of restraint — qualities that spoke to the deeper discipline behind all acts of creation and leadership.

NTUC Women’s Wing
Representing advocacy and policy, the NTUC Women’s Wing reaffirmed their mission of uplifting women in the workforce, ensuring fair opportunities and nurturing career resilience. Their presence connected the conversations of the day to the broader movement for gender equity in Singapore — bridging inspiration with action.

Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT)
The team from Daughters of Tomorrow shared heartfelt stories from their community work, helping underprivileged women access livelihood opportunities. Their message was both humble and profound: empowerment begins with trust, and the courage to take the first step.

Babes Crisis Support Services
Babes spoke about their compassionate work supporting young women through unplanned pregnancies, providing care, counseling, and a non-judgmental space for growth. Their presence added emotional depth — a reminder that empowerment also means compassion for those in vulnerable transitions.

Together, these partners created a living mosaic of purpose — where style met substance, and commerce met compassion. Their stories wove a collective truth: that beauty, empowerment, and leadership are all part of the same radiant continuum — one that begins with self-belief and flows outward to transform communities.