Birth Name: Phillip Lim

Born: September 16, 1973 in Pheng Lim, Thailand; of Chinese descent

*Parents came to Southern California after his birth to escape Combodia’s civil war

*Mother was a seamstress for a garment factory

*In 1991 studied home economics at California State University and while working at Barney’s

*Interned for designer Katayone Adelis and shortly after became the assistant designer while still in school

*After Adelis relocated to New York City, Lim stayed in LA designing for Development making clothes for women in 2000-2005

*His good friend Wen Zhou (business partner and creative director) suggested Lim create his own women’s line
-She puts in $750,000 to start label from her fabric business

*3.1 Phillip Lim launched in 2005 at Fall Fashion Week and was an instant success providing the best in clothes at an affordable price

*Made $2.8 million in the first 2 months

*In 2006 the Fashion Group International awarded him 1st place in Women’s Designer ‘Rising Star’ category

*By 2007 Lim introduces menswear, kidswear and eyewear

*Reached nearly $60 million in sales in 2011

*Collaborated with Target to produce a limited collection ranging from $19.99-$299.99

Did You Know?

*Lim and Zhou decided to call the label “3.1 Phillip Lim” because they were young and successful at the age of 31

*Lim’s father was a professional poker player

*He has a design team of 3 workers and his clothes are manufactured in China

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