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There’s something to be said about second acts. For us, it is the precipice of a new beginning. The same can be said for the things we hold dear. In the constellation of fashion, this theory manifests in the encore lives of collected pieces: a coat that lights up your eyes the moment you see it, an item from a designer’s history-defining line up, or better yet, an object so novel it reminds you that fashion is never that serious.
Solidifying this sentiment is the sweeping resurgence of the ‘closet clear-out’, a circular exercise in which fashion insiders open up their wardrobes (and hearts) in the vested interest that their most loved pieces will find a new home. And while platforms such as Vestiaire Collective and eBay have long been the go-to options, this setting is a different one: intimate and knowing, it is a transition of taste, a silent nod that an item you love will elicit an energised spark in someone else.
One purveyor of such a tradition is the editor-in-chief of Vogue Singapore, Desmond Lim. Today, he is a resounding force in fashion, known for his one-of-a-kind eye and propensity for a future-thinking yet time-honoured approach. Growing up with the pages of institutional publications such as The Face and i-D, he notes an inquisitive and discerning point of view from an early age. “I grew up liking to do things differently,” he shares, looking back to his days as a student at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating, Lim started his first job as a junior designer at Lime—a now-defunct music magazine—where he drew inspiration from grunge typography, Ray Gun and a smorgasbord of era-defining art. Working in a lean team of three, he soon began to style his own pages, eventually becoming a fashion editor at 30 years old.
“My favourite thing about fashion is that you can dream and embody everything and anything that your imagination brings to you. You possess the ability to tell a story through the images you create. I was lucky to grow up in the ’90s where there was a huge shift in fashion. Flashier brands like Versace and Dolce&Gabbana made way for minimalistic labels like Prada, Martin Margiela, Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein and Jil Sander. It was quite an exciting time,” Lim notes.
“My way of fostering intention is to start small and work around things that I love, like clothes.”
This canvas-and-creator approach extends to Lim’s sense of personal style, too. Considered and meticulous, he takes note of shapes and proportions, partial to a skilful injection of colour and intricate detailing. Beyond that, he has a committed interest in intention—more specifically, in the designer’s messaging of each piece he acquires. The most recent of his purchases speaks to this. A tribute to Italo Disco from the late ’80s, Lim has homed a classic burgundy Martine Rose coat, adorned with fringed arms. Today, it sits alongside his first fashion purchase: a corduroy Gianfranco Ferré shirt with a howling wolf print, bought with his first pay cheque. The coat succeeds another memorable piece: a pair of Prada square-toed suede sneakers which took him through his inaugural Paris Fashion Week.
Having created a ritual for collecting, Lim is intentional about making space, too. Early last December, he hosted an intimate closet sale, inviting close friends and colleagues to deep dive into an expertly curated selection of pieces both old and new. On his rack? A line-up of sartorial gems, from a black leather Dior sling pouch from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut collection to a crystal-encrusted Miu Miu denim top. Other pieces of note? An eye-catching pair of Louis Vuitton boots from Virgil Abloh’s debut, a tongue-in-cheek ‘fake’ Gucci top handle and glittering Saint Laurent men’s creepers.
In the mix was a peek of a white and blue Old Celine shirt, confidently perched in all its cult fashion collector glory. Off limits are Lim’s seasonally acquired Prada pieces, a brand of which he is an ardent collector. “It’s the idea of making space for bigger and better things, but I also like the idea of seeing an item head off on its second life,” shares Lim. “It’s also about access and exploration to walk through the wardrobe of say, a fashion director, who might have a completely different view of fashion to you. It’s shopping a curated wardrobe through a different lens. I have friends who ask if they can park their items with me as part of the sale, but I almost always say no. If you come to my sales, chances are you know what you are looking for and what you are getting yourself into.”
“It’s about exploring the wardrobe of someone who might have a completely different view of fashion to you.”
Coupled with Lim’s innate ability to pair an item to a new owner—the Saint Laurent creepers, for example, imprinted on me—the experience of Lim’s closet clear-out is an instinctive and accessible one for those looking to shop (and dress themselves) with more intention. “Sustainability is viewed very differently in Singapore because we are a country that thrives on efficiency. That brings about the idea of convenience. So my way of fostering intention is to start small and work around things that I love, like clothes. If you have not been wearing an item for the last six months, it probably has already served its purpose.”
As for his advice for those looking to embark on a similar journey? “Read up on a designer and understand why you are buying their pieces. Look at how the piece sits with your other clothes. Ask yourself if it’s something you see yourself wearing for a long time. And you know what? I have friends who buy and dress purely for the weather—casual cute tops and easy dresses—and that’s a great way to start. At the end of the day, go for what serves you best. That’s what fashion is all about.”
Here, Lim breaks down some of his favourite pieces from the sale—and in case you missed it, unveils where else you can get these covetable and collector-worthy items.
1 / 11
Gucci "Fake/Not" 1955 bag
“This Gucci Fake/Not top handle was added to my rotation purely for the irony and the humour. It’s also an indication of how I don’t take fashion seriously at times. Everything should be worn with a bit of jocularity.”
Available at Vestiaire Collective.
2 / 11
Comme Des Garçons x Junya Watanabe jacket
“I believe in acquiring strong, statement pieces and this Comme Des Garçons x Junya Watanabe AD2009 cargo pocket jacket is the perfect example of that. It’s striking with functional detailing for day to day.”
Available on Grailed.
3 / 11
Dries Van Noten belt
“You’d be surprised at just how much intricacy you can inject into a look even with smaller accessories. This cloth belt from Dries Van Noten is one-of-a-kind and encompasses the brand’s essence so well.”
Available at Vestiaire Collective.
4 / 11
Song for the Mute pants
“Song for the Mute is a Sydney-based menswear brand that mirrors the design ethos of Rick Owens. I like them for their clean, contemporary approach to design and how they meld it with art-inclined prints. I also think statement trousers, for example, are overlooked and the cord detailing around the thighs gives it a nice finishing touch.”
Available on Grailed.
5 / 11
Ferragamo micro pouch
“This is from Maximillian Davis’s first collection at Ferragamo. How cool is it to have a huge gold ring attached to a wallet? It encapsulates the meeting point of postmodernism and the banality of everyday.”
Available at Farfetch.
6 / 11
Miu Miu denim peplum belt
“Miu Miu broke the internet with this belt when it debuted on the runways during the spring/summer 2023 and for good reason. It’s conceptual, bold, daring and encapsulates the brand to a tee. Also you can let your imagination run wild and wear it however you like.”
Available at Miu Miu.
7 / 11
Hedi Slimane × Saint Laurent Paris creepers
“This pair of creepers from Saint Laurent’s spring/summer 2014 collection features a fire engine red trimming against a gold leopard jacquard fabric held together by a single monk strap. What’s there not to love?”
Available on Grailed.
8 / 11
Fendi orange PVC bag
“Fendi’s spring/summer 2021 show debuted this orange basket bag which is made out of 100% recycled PVC. It’s playful and novel and illustrates my love for items that are a tad bit tongue-in-cheek.”
Available at Vestiaire Collective.
9 / 11
Diesel cargo skirt
“I personally think a skirt is a wardrobe rotation must-have. Diesel does fantastic cargo versions that go with just about everything.”
Available at Diesel.
10 / 11
Dries Van Noten trench coat
“I love this Dries Van Noten marble-printed shell hooded coat for its unexpected colour combination. It’s unapologetic in essence and very functional, too.”
Available on Grailed.
11 / 11
Louis Vuitton men's boots
“This pair of sneakers is from Virgil Abloh’s third collection for Louis Vuitton men’s from spring/summer 2020. Also, I like my shoes very much.”
Available at Grailed.
Photography Zantz Han
Styling Nicholas See and Bryan Ho
Hair and make up Marc Teng
Photographer’s assistant Michelle Yap
Story Maya Menon
The Jan/Feb ‘Intentions’ issue of Vogue Singapore is available for sale online and in-store from 11 January 2024.
