On July 21, designer Phillip Lim revealed that he is returning to fashion with the launch of PLAYLOVEWIN, a new ready-to-wear project of his own.
According to the project’s official website, the brand is set to launch in September 2026 with a collection for the Spring/Summer 2027 season.
Summary
- Phillip Lim announces his return to fashion
- His new ready-to-wear project, PLAYLOVEWIN, is set to launch in September 2026
- The Spring/Summer 2027 collection is expected to be previewed in late August
- It marks his first full return to the fashion business since leaving 3.1 Phillip Lim about a year and ten months ago
A Collection Preview Expected in Late August
In recent weeks, Lim has been documenting his move into a new studio and his return to making on his own Instagram, sharing the road to PLAYLOVEWIN’s launch with his followers.
Details of the collection — its concept, product lineup and how it will be sold — have yet to be revealed. According to sources cited by WWD, Lim plans to preview the collection over two weeks in late August.
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Leaving the Brand He Led for 20 Years
Lim founded 3.1 Phillip Lim in 2005 with his friend, businesswoman Wen Zhou. As creative director, he proposed a modern wardrobe that fused California’s ease with New York’s refined tailoring.
The brand expanded from womenswear into menswear, bags and shoes, growing into one of the independent labels that came to define contemporary American fashion.
After presenting the Spring/Summer 2025 collection marking the brand’s 20th anniversary, however, Lim stepped down as creative director in November 2024. At the time, the two said in a joint statement: “As the brand moves into its next chapter, we are so proud of what we have built and the strength of the authentic community that surrounds us. Our shared vision and hard work allowed us to remain independent and achieve remarkable success in an ever-changing and challenging industry.”
Since his departure, Zhou has continued to run the brand as CEO and sole owner. In September 2025, Michelle Rhee was appointed head of design, ushering in a new creative structure.
A Next Chapter Under a New Name
Beyond fashion design, Lim has long been committed to supporting Asian communities.
During the pandemic, he co-founded House of Slay with Prabal Gurung, Laura Kim, Tina Leung and Ezra William to push back against rising anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes, championing diversity and inclusion through fashion and comics.
Having stepped away from the brand that carried his name for 20 years, Lim now begins creating under a new one. What values — and what wardrobe — will PLAYLOVEWIN propose? Anticipation is building ahead of its first reveal, expected in August.
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