Designer Introduction: Phillip Lim

  Phillip Lim was born in Thailand to his Chinese parents in 1973. They later on moved to Orange County, California when Lim was still a baby. He grew up watching his mother work eighteen hours a day as a seamstress for a garment factory, which is something his parents never wanted for him. Lim never thought fashion was for him because growing up in Asian culture; he was expected to be in certain career fields. This is why he majored in business when he was in college, but after three years he had enough and graduated with a degree in home economics instead which consisted of sewing, nursing, etc. Although he always had a love for clothes, he never thought to design it until he started working for an L.A. clothing line called “Development” in 1999 making women’s wear. After five years, he started his own label, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and has been a huge success. Now he even runs five women’s line, a men’s line, a children’s line, a swim line, a lingerie line and even an eco-friendly line to encourage others to “go green.” 

   Growing up, Lim had a hard time adjusting to his new Western environment and his Asian culture. This is why his designs are a mixture of sophistication and street-wear sensibility. His laid back style yet also edgy has been a huge hit within the fashion industry and even won many awards including some from The Council of Fashion Designers of America. People praise about his fun, flirty, dynamic designs which made him known as one of the top designers of this time. Lim looks to all kinds of things to bring out these crafty, energetic designs. He even includes a page of things that inspire him lately on his website. Like his designs, he is a laid back person as well and does not like to be too involved with the media. He stays away from social networks like Facebook and Twitter and does not even operate his own store. He is not a fan of the publicity and enjoys putting focus on the clothing themselves that many sought out to buy. Which customers never complain about his clothes because not only are they well made, but also well priced.

The 2000’s was a time when the most changes have happened. Both men and women are now equally working, families got smaller, technology got more advanced, movie and music exploded with different story plots and genres, and skin started showing a whole lot more. Lim was the perfect designer for this time period because the world was ready for his sexy, fun, and edgy clothes. He describes his designs as, “classic with a twist” because he takes sophistication and takes it to a different level. It was the new millennium and people wanted to get a hold of Lim’s new, exciting, and trendy garments that reflected those times. A lot more attention to the streets were happening at this time as well. There were so many different types of styles on the streets, from hip hop, to prep, to punk, and so on. Lim incorporated these street elements into his own chic designs and crafted a stunning outfit.  

Designer Lim is determined and focus on his artistic creations and it shows well on the runway. He is an icon because he has the ability to create youthful yet sophisticated designs that appeal to many and will not break their banks. He takes cultures that differ from each other but combines them together seamlessly to make beautiful clothing. Not only does it look good, but it makes the wearer feel good as well. Lim is able to maintain over ten different lines under his brand and still come out with fresh styles for each line seasonally. Even though his designs have received much high praise, he remains humble and focused on the main goal. I find it funny because I feel like his clothes reflects his personality. He is sophisticated, yet quirky, and he is shy but edgy. Lim's ability to fuse different styles together to create something new and chic is why he is an icon in the fashion industry.

 

 

 

Sources:

 

www.influentialdesigners.weebly.com

www.vouge.com

www.31philliplim.com

 

 
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