Phillip Lim Presents First Menswear Collection

Phillip Lim staged his first menswear presentation at a gorgeous art space in Chelsea yesterday afternoon. This is his first season showing menswear separately from womenswear. He wanted to give the men's line extra emphasis this season because he frankly feels like men get the shaft at New York Fashion Week. "I was just talking to my friends today, I’m like, 'You know, I’m a guy, I wear men’s clothes and it’s so stagnant and suffocating — it’s just disappearing. And so I’ve got to fight for my line," he told us. "Less and less people are paying attention to it."
Lim's spring 2010 men's collection included ankle pants in grays and blues and even black leather. He also showed a camel leather T-shirt tucked into matching camel leather shorts. As a fashion-forward man himself, how does he feel about the latest in seemingly silly man fashions, such as meggings? "If it keeps you warm, why not?" But what about man purses? "What are man purses?" We gestured to our own shoulder bag. "You know, I think over the shoulder is meant for function, so if it can help hold a bag, why not?" he decided. But what about man skirts? "You know, for certain people who have great legs, it works. But for me, no." Does he see them proliferating en masse? "I hope not. I think it’s reserved for the special few." But he won't rule out designing one. "Never say never."

- Amy Odell for New York Magazine's "The Cut" blog

Phillip Lim Gave Christmas Bonuses Last Year!

From The Cut, nymag.com

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Philip LimPhoto: Getty Images

Phillip Lim presented a rock-and-roll-inspired collection in the tents this afternoon. Whereas designers like Betsey Johnson and Vera Wang are showing off-site to save cash, Lim showed in the biggest (and most expensive) tent space with live musical act Lissy Trullie. Lim told us backstage after the show that he "can't complain" about business these days, noting "no one's immune" to the economy. Indeed, Lim's line ought to thrive in these times. Like Alexander Wang, his price points are lower than most high-end designer pieces — something Bergdorf women's fashion director Linda Fargo told us she's especially looking for this season.

He's not laying people off. "We actually gave Christmas bonuses. Celebration!" he trilled. He said spending the cash for the space in the tents was worth it, because IMG makes life easy and he can do things like have a live band. "There’s so many different variables that can go wrong and you’re just adding more layers to it. Fern Mallis and IMG — they make it so easy," Lim said. "I’m like, 'I want to do this,' and I’m thinking, ‘No way.’ But they’re like ‘do it!’" Nothing went wrong in Lim's show. Model Hyoni Kang had to take off her shoes to complete her walk, but barely tripped. "She picked herself up and dusted herself off and pretended like nothing ever happened — is that rock and roll or what?" Lim said. How would he have felt if she fell? "Falling is a different story. I’d be mortified. Because I can’t even imagine everyone looking at you, you know?"