As a young New Yorker, Michelle Rhee, the new creative director at 3.1 Phillip Lim, is the very customer for whom she is designing. It’s how she knows 3.1 shoppers are on the search for silhouettes that not only look good but feel good—Rhee’s design ethos is focused on wardrobe essentials with unique touches. This season she took traditional pieces like blazers and skirts and added pleated bib detailing at the back for a playful touch. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, there’s no such thing as a basic white t-shirt or sweater, instead there are satin and lace combination tees and utilitarian patch nylon sweaters.
A big inspiration for Rhee this season was the work of Georgia O’Keeffe, and she took a trip to New Mexico to visit the painter’s house. In the desert, she found that what stood out to her most was the greenery. That in turn, inspired the lookbook shoot, where the military green bomber jackets and vibrant ombré skirts could shine, just like cacti.