While the revolving designer door is now commonplace across European fashion houses, there’s less precedent for creative director transitions at New York-founded brands. But when Phillip Lim decided to depart his namesake label last November after 20 years, it created a job opening.
Michelle Rhee joined 3.1 Phillip Lim in April as Lim’s successor. In her creative director role, she oversees the brand’s ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories businesses; her first pieces created alongside the design studio will make their market debut in New York starting on 10 September.