This month the CFDA award-wining designer celebrated the one-year anniversary of his West Hollywood store. Located on the infamous Robertson Blvd., just a few blocks up from the sidewalks lined with numerous high fashion driven storefronts and paparazzi awaiting a glimpse of someone camera worthy, stands 3.1 Phillip Lim, provoking intrigue with its both luminous and minimalistic façade. On Saturday, July 18th, shoppers, fans, friends, and family were invited to peruse racks of stunning detail paired with immaculate simplicity while sipping wine, benefiting a cause, and receiving styling advice from Lim himself. A Los Angeles native, the West Hollywood location is the third on Lim’s list of store openings following the first in SoHo and the second in Tokyo.

The PARA Project & Giancarlo Valle designed boutique is set back from the sidewalk by a small parking lot, providing an air of mystique that proves to be alluring to an inquisitive eye. Upon walking into the former auto-body shop, one is introduced to a flowing interior of nooks, undulating walls, and bamboo-lined shelves. Tiny protruding pyramids made of soft, white foam pad the walls, a far cry from alluding any comparison to a padded cell, but rather creating a sense of architectural geometry, space, and lightness. The store unfolds into an idyllic and serene setting transitioning the customer into an imaginative yet understated world of elegance, in a manner similar to Lim’s own creations.

Lim moved around the store offering warm welcomes, indulging in conversations, and graciously accepting awestruck whispers of praise. His unobtrusive charm and calm demeanor is indicative of his aesthetic. The store displayed the Fall 2009 looks while offering samples of the available-by-order Resort and Holiday collections. His fall collection evokes the spirit of the 1960s British rock scene paired with the modern woman meets the strength and sex appeal of such 1930s actresses as Dietrich, Crawford, West, and Garbo, undefined by men and gallivanting in the gender bending garments of the Pre-Code film era. His Resort 2010 collection is beautiful to the eye and delicate to the touch while encapsulating an edgy femininity. The event benefited The Art of Elysium, the Los Angeles non-profit that brings the arts to children fighting various illnesses.

Lim’s loyal fans of fashion world elite and Hollywood starlets have a fervent affinity for his complementary to the female silhouette construction of trousers, blouses, blazers, and flowing dresses made from golden, lace, and sequin fabrics. Earlier that week, Vogue and Rachel Bilson hosted a private anniversary party at the store. Guests including Rachel Zoe, Molly Sims, Eve, Shenae Grimes, Kristen Bell, and Leona Lewis joined Vogue’s Lisa Love and Lawren Howell to honor the designer’s burgeoning success. The British band The Duke Spirit provided the evening’s entertainment. Congratulations Phillip Lim.

Looks from the Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Looks from the Resort 2010 Collection

STORE LOCATION
3.1 Phillip Lim
631 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069