Photo: Launchmetrics Spotlight
There’s been a new, somewhat unexpected move on the ever-evolving fashion creative director chess board: Phillip Lim is officially stepping down from his role as creative director of his namesake label, 3.1 Phillip Lim. The brand’s CEO and co-founder, Wen Zhou, will remain the sole proprietor of the business.
“It is with great respect and gratitude for each other and our long partnership that we have decided to part ways at 3.1 Phillip Lim,” Lim and Zhou said in a joint statement. “As the brand moves into a new chapter, we are so proud of what we have built and the strength of genuine community around us. Our shared vision and hard work have allowed us to stay independent and achieve remarkable success in a constantly changing and challenging industry.”
Per the statement, Lim is exiting the brand in pursuit of “new ventures.” This decision comes on the heels of his Spring 2025 runway show during New York Fashion Week, which celebrated the brand’s 20th anniversary.
“This show is dedicated to joy,” Lim told Fashionista backstage at the show. “I feel like we all need to really engage with that again, especially in this climate and fashion as a whole…With this collection, I want to take it back to where we make clothes for ourselves and we make clothes for our community.”
The Spring 2025 collection is Lim’s last with the brand. A successor has not been named.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made for the past 20 years and for that, we will be eternally thankful,” Lim and Zhou continued. “Though our partnership is ending, the brand remains in capable hands and we are certain will continue to thrive.”
Lim is the latest player in this year’s “creative director musical chairs,” which has been made up primarily by larger European luxury houses. Recent changes include Kim Jones exiting Fendi, Filippo Grazioli exiting Missoni, Michael Rider replacing Hedi Slimane at Celine and Glenn Martens leaving Y/Project.
Source: Fashionista.com
