Phillip Lim Steps Down as Creative Director of 3.1 Phillip Lim
In a surprising announcement, Phillip Lim has officially announced his departure as creative director of 3.1 Phillip Lim. Lim, along with co-founder and CEO Wen Zhou, shared a joint statement with WWD expressing their respect and gratitude for each other and their long partnership.
The statement reads, “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. 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.”
Lim and Zhou also reflected on the brand’s success and their shared vision of creating something meaningful. They stated, “Our shared vision and hard work has allowed us to stay independent and achieve remarkable success in a constantly changing and challenging industry. From the very beginning, our goal was to create something meaningful, and along the way, we realized we could also inspire positive change, champion creativity, responsibility, and collaboration.”
The duo expressed their pride in the impact they have made over the past 20 years and their gratitude for the support of their community. However, they also acknowledged that this is a natural turning point for both of them, with new goals and different visions for the future.
While Zhou will continue as CEO and sole proprietor of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Lim will be pursuing new ventures. The brand’s final collection under Lim’s creative direction was presented during September’s New York Fashion Week, marking the brand’s 20th anniversary.
There has been no word on succession plans for the creative director role, but the brand remains in capable hands with Zhou at the helm. Since its founding in 2015, 3.1 Phillip Lim has become a staple in contemporary American fashion, offering a range of products from tailoring to dresses to accessories and shoes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lim channeled his creativity into other avenues, including designing a line of “at leisure” garments and “New York Tougher Than Ever” t-shirts. He also co-founded House of Slay with fellow fashion friends to combat anti-Asian sentiment.
As Lim’s tenure as creative director comes to an end, it is uncertain how 3.1 Phillip Lim will continue, but one thing is for sure: the brand’s impact and legacy will be remembered for years to come.
