Phillip Lim Steps Down as Creative Director of 3.1 Phillip Lim
His 20th anniversary SS25 collection shown during September’s NYFW was his final one for the brand.
Phillip Lim is officially stepping down as creative director of 3.1 Phillip Lim.
In a joint statement shared with WWD from Lim and co-founder and CEO Wen Zhou, the two said, “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. 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. We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made for the past 20 years and for that we will be eternally thankful. They continued, “This moment marks a natural turning point for both of us, each with new goals and different visions for the future. Wen will stay on as CEO and sole proprietor of 3.1 Phillip Lim, while Phillip will pursue new ventures. Though our partnership is ending, the brand remains in capable hands and we are certain will continue to thrive.”
Lim’s final collection for the brand was presented during September’s New York Fashion Week. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection marked the brand’s 20th anniversary. While Zhou is slated to stay on as CEO and sole proprietor of 3.1 Phillip Lim, there has been no word on succession plans for the brand’s creative director role. Together, Lim and Wen co-founded the label in 2015 in New York City and has since been a staple amongst contemporary American fashion. With a broad range of products that span from tailoring to dresses to accessories and shoes, the brands hits the sweet spot on aspirational and attainable high quality apparel. When COVID hit, Lim channeled his creativity into other avenues following the brands exit in many key markets including Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Hong Kong. Lim leaned into a designing a line of new “at leisure” garments and even “New York Tougher Than Ever” t-shirts. He co-founded House of Slay with fellow fashion friends Prabal Gurung, Laura Kim, Tina Leung and Ezra Williams to combat anti-Asian sentiment during that time.
At this time, it is uncertain how 3.1 Phillip Lim will carry on beyond Phillip Lim’s creative director tenure.
