Designer Phillip Lim at Fashion Week Spring 2009 Collection

Phillip Lim debuted his eponymous collection, 3.1 phillip lim, in the fall
of 2005 to instant success, both critically and commercially. Now entering its
third year, the line is available in over 250 boutiques and department stores
nationwide, and represented in 26 countries worldwide. An inaugural presentation of the fall/winter collection kicked off New York Fashion Week with glowing reviews. Widespread recognition and declaration of Lim’s talent quickly followed. In January 2006, Fashion Group International awarded Lim first place in the Women’s Designer ‘Rising Star’ category. Then following in July, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue magazine nominated Lim as a finalist for the prestigious 2006 Fashion Fund Award. Now 2007 is proving to be a year of even deeper significance. Spring saw the introduction of menswear, and the first free standing 3.1 phillip lim store opened in July on Mercer Street in New York City.

The store, which carries the men’s, women’s, and accessories collection, establishes a foundation for plans of retail expansion both domestically and abroad. 2007 has also marked Lim being honored with the CFDA Swarovski Award for emerging talent in women’s wear, his recognition as a finalist for the Fashion Design Award of Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and his second nomination as a finalist for the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. This year will also bring the launch of 3.1 phillip lim kid’s wear and an eyewear collection, produced by the European luxury eyewear company, MODO.

As for his background, one might say, fashion found Lim. While studying finance at California State University of Long Beach, it became evident that Lim was sitting in the wrong classroom. A switch in majors led to an internship at Katayone Adeli, which led to a full time job as design assistant. Lim parted ways with Katayone Adeli after assisting her for over a year and a half. Soon after he met his future partners, and quickly became co-founder and head designer of the label Development. After four years at Development, Lim, 31, departed to launch his most personal collection to date with business partner and friend, Wen Zhou, also 31. This meant switching coasts to New York, where he now works and resides.

3.l phillip lim’s raison d’etre is making beautiful clothes with added touches of madness, striving towards the imperfection. The result is a creation of individual looks that are unexpected, unplanned, but completely relevant.

Accordingly, Lim says, “3.1 is about clothes that refine instead of define. A refinement that’s a bit classic in attitude, but imparts a sense of individual style, without looking or feeling forced. Confident, unidentifiable, chic, and most of all effortless.”

For Lim, the design process begins by absorbing shapes, colors, and textures from his surroundings and personal experiences and mixing them with luxurious fabrics and thoughtful nuances. The fabrics include tissue weight cashmeres, laundered cottons, washed silks and brushed wools. Additional richness and life is added to the 3.1 aesthetic through a complete range of accessories, including shoes, boots, belts, bags and seasonal signature accessories. Understated, cool, and polished, Lim continues to redefine the rules of fashion.

Runway highlights from 3.1 Phillip Lim at Fashion Week in New York, Spring 2009