Partyhopper

From In Style's Ali Forman in Los Angeles: “Coming back here is like coming home for me,”  NY based designer Phillip Lim told me the other day at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. “I am a hometown boy.”  Lim, who grew up in “The OC” was back in  Southern California during LA Fashion Week for an informal showing of his spring ’07 collection—3.1-- at the famed department store. 

It was the first LA showing for the line, a hit with stars such as Kate Hudson, Emmy Rossum, Jacinda Barrett and Jamie King, and I was lucky enough to get some one-on-one time with the ultra cool, laid-back 33-year old designer.

As guests sipped on martinis, Phillip and I talked about clothes (of course), cars, NY vs. LA and his mom, who by the way has never been to one of his runway shows! And it’s not because she’s not a proud parent (she is very proud), it's because Phillip has never let her come! He confessed  that he puts too much pressure on himself at his shows already and that to have his mom there and not be able to spend as much time with her as he would like, would  be added pressure that he couldn’t  take!

When I asked him what inspired this season’s collection   (the line debuted in fall 2005) he replied, “A single white rose and what it represents.  It is a beautiful symbol of naiveté and going back to not having a care in the world.  Wanting to see the world through rose tinted glasses. “

Lim told me that he never really had big dreams to be a designer when he grew up, initially it was just a job for him. He had interest in it, but was really doing it to hopefully afford a Porsche one day! Goal accomplished: Just before he turned 30 he went to a dealer and drove off the lot with a brand new car (although he had to sell it when he moved to NY).   

Lim, whose spring line is predominately white with lots of feminine floaty dresses, sheer fabrics and romantic touches like rose appliques and ruffles, says he  views his all of his collections as an evolution; fixing what he did wrong and if he is still into something refining it more “it is kind of like a journey.  I always feel like what inspires me is what is presently around me, streets, music, buildings whatever.” 

One of his favorite pieces from this season, is a  T-shirt dress with blossoms adorning it, a piece he deems “pivotal” to the collection.   He told me that it should be owned by every girl who “embodies spirit and has an essence of confidence.  And fun, fun, fun girls”  Hmmm... I guess this means that I will have to head back to Neiman’s soon to purchase a certain T-shirt dress!

-- James Patrick Herman