9 September 2025 |
The Korean American designer honed her skills at Marc Jacobs, Area, and Derek Lam.
After celebrating 20 years in business. 3.1 Phillip Lim is shaking things up as they turn 21. Co-founder and CEO Wen Zhou took over as sole owner of the brand back in November 2024, after the departure of co-founder Phillip Lim. And today, they’ve announced a new head of design: Michelle Rhee. Korean-American Rhee cut her teeth at the likes of Derek Lam, Area, and Marc Jacobs before launching her eponymous line in 2024. Known for her minimal yet elegant designs rooted in sportswear with a twist, it’s a natural fit for 3.1 Phillip Lim, a label based in what real women want to wear while living their busy lives.
“3.1Phillip Lim has always stood for a modern elegance that feels effortless, yet deeply meaningful — a balance of strength, softness, and cultural resonance. I’ve long admired the brand’s ability to shape the way people express themselves through clothing, while staying true to its roots in community and creativity. As I step into this role, I feel honored to carry forward that heritage and excited to imagine what the next chapter of 3.1 can look like — one that continues to celebrate resilience, identity, and the beauty of everyday dressing elevated,” says Rhee via the press release.
But whatever you do, don’t call in a reinvention. Instead, both Zhou and Rhee are calling this a return to the brand’s beginnings. “This next era is deeply personal,” said Zhou via press release. “3.1 Phillip Lim will continue to be led by Asian American women across both the creative and business sides, reflecting the values that have always been at the heart of the brand.”
Rhee’s work debuts for spring 2026 so expect to see the new designs in the upcoming week.
