This is where DE:CENTERING, the annual fashion graduation show of LASALLE College of the Arts, took place. Thirteen collections by final-year students of the BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles program were showcased that evening, with models walking across the slippery concrete platform, while test trains occasionally passed by in the background. The atmosphere was futuristic, surreal, and utterly unforgettable.
“Singapore is a hub of innovation in Asia, a place where diverse cultures come together and are celebrated.” — Circe Henestrosa, Dean of the LASALLE School of Fashion
This Season’s Boldest Venue
Cantonment Station stands directly beneath the historic former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station—a layering of time that couldn’t be more metaphorical. Singapore’s past and future, stacked upon the same ground. The choice of this venue was no accident. According to Circe Henestrosa, head of LASALLE’s School of Fashion, the institution hopes this show reflects Singapore’s potential as a hub for the birth of new Asian fashion trends.
For one night, the unfinished station transformed into a striking fashion space: models descended the escalators and walked through the station, while guests watched from the platform area. Some observers were quick to compare the event to Chanel’s Fall 2026 pre-show, which was also held on a New York subway platform. But LASALLE’s choice of location stemmed from a different intent, deeper, more personal, more Singaporean.
Minister of Transport, Jeffrey Siow was present that evening and announced the official opening date of Cantonment Station, making this fashion event a historic moment for the city’s infrastructure as well. On his Instagram, Siow wrote that heritage and creativity converged at the soon-to-be-opened station for one special night.
“MRT Gala” — A Name Born on the Digital Streets
Videos of the event went viral on TikTok in a matter of hours. In a clip uploaded by user @jarielann, viewers watched models emerge from the station’s escalators and walk through the elegant underground setting. The video quickly sparked praise and humor on social media.
Many rebranded the event as the “MRT Gala,” a playful nod to New York’s famous Met Gala. Some even joked that the real Met Gala should move here. This positive response shows how Singaporeans embrace the unexpected fusion of public infrastructure and creative expression.
A Circle Finally Complete
Cantonment Station is scheduled to officially open on July 12, 2026, alongside Keppel and Prince Edward Road stations, as part of Phase 6 of the Circle Line. The three stations will connect HarbourFront and Marina Bay, closing the final gap in the Circle Line nearly two decades after operations first began in 2009.
