Phillip Lim (1973-Present)
Philip Lim is a Chinese fashion designer. He started emerging as his own in the fashion industry around 2005 and you can bet we will be seeing more of him. He is really known for his high-end designs, but they are at very affordable prices for customers who like to invest in fashion. His saying is, “We live by the dress, we die by the dress.” I chose him because I love the new style he is presenting and I have a lot of respect for the way he markets.
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Biography
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.
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.
Critical Analysis
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.
Analysis of Future Trends
Lim has brought us new trends and styles to follow for the seasons. His chic and classic look is clean and well-presented. Many designers have tried out his design ethics and overall feeling of his runway shows. He gives off a feminine mood in his shows and some street edge as well. Not many put much street wear onto their runway because it is difficult to make it look high-end but Lim managed to execute it well. His feminine style though is apparent in his designs as well and creates a romantic and flirty look. He uses a pale color pallet to successfully produce this look versus a darker pallet for his edgy street wear. This amazing gift of being able to mix sophistication and street-style is rare and Lim uses the most of his gift.
In my closet, I own a lot of clothing that resembles Lim's design aesthetics. My style is a mixture of girly and edgy because I love the look of femininity and street. I will often mix textures and colors like Lim did to create the look I want. His influences can be seen in many other female and male's closets in my opinion because it is so relaxed and casual that his customers can wear it anywhere. He is Einstein at manufacturing merchandise that people will want to buy because he knows what looks flattering and classy. This is why Phillip Lim is an influential designer in the fashion industry.
Citations
- Phillip Lim Spring/Summer 2013 Runway Show ft Liu Wen | New York . 2012. Film. 3 Dec 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?
- . "Phillip Lim." Voguepedia. Vogue, n.d. Web. 3 Dec 2012. <http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Phillip_Lim>.
- Dorment, Richard. "Is Phillip Lim the Most Interesting Designer in America? Read more: Phillip Lim Bio - Philip Lim Mens Clothes
- . "3.1 Phillip Lim." 3.1 Phillip Lim. 3.1 Phillip Lim, 02 2012. Web. 3 Dec 2012. <http://www.31philliplim.com/>.