Phillip Lim's House Party
Fashion Week in New York has always kind of been this paint by numbers event – especially when you’ve been attending for years on end. Although the shows and fashion are always amazing and can sometimes even be totally different than anything you’ve seen, the concept is the same: a show, some clothes, a crowd and scene.
Well, Phillip Lim basically reinvented, or shall I say, has forgone the idea of a runway show. This year, Lim opted for a “house party.” Yes, you heard me, a house party. He hosted a full-day event of music, cocktails, fashion and did it all in a relaxed environment.
There was something so community-based and friendly about the way it was organized. Being able to chat and get to know one another with these amazing conversation pieces (his incredibly avant-garde silhouettes and interesting cuts). It felt less pretentious and less about the idea of fashion… more about the people and the clothes.
Fashion Week can be chaotic, so to kick back and get some serious face time with a designer is kind of a big deal. I originally met Phillip Lim at a local event in Montreal organized by Ssense. It was such a riveting conversation to hear where he came from, what he’s gone through, what inspires him and so on. This meeting was equally as great. He’s quirky and cool and his clothes are a reflection of his ebullient and bold, yet subdued and serene character. I styled a few of the pieces I wore to the Ssense event again for Fashion Week. Phillip Lim blazer, pants and pure matched with these killer cowboy style La Canadienne boots (totally representing!).
Lim’s collection is brilliant and effortless. He created a vibe in a setting that accurately reflected his connection to fashion. 3.1 Phillip Lim is about stepping out of the noise and finding your own voice. Well, Lim stepped back from what’s expected and created his own space, allowing all of those in attendance to slow down and reconnect with fashion, with 3.1, and with ourselves.
3.1 Phillip Lim is all about the global citizen (by the way, I feel that’s getting a little buzzwordy lately, but that’s where fashion is headed, I guess!). there are voluminous shapes, mixed textures and layered fabrics, fluid, draping pieces and strong accents and hardware. The exaggerated proportions add a playful element and then, the palette – oh that colour scheme is just breathtaking. So on point with the upcoming season.
The attention to detail is another outrageous aspect of Lim’s vision. By creating unique elements on essential pieces, his collection really stands out. Seasonless and timeless, I loved everything about this house party, this collection, and of course, Lim’s philosophy on fashion.
Photography by Patricia Brochu