Dickson Lim: Hollywood Celebrities Cannot Get Enough of This Malaysian Designer's Modern Suits

This 22-year old self-taught designer from Kuching is making a name for himself around the world

Since launching his eponymous brand in 2020, Dickson Lim's innovative, unconventional, and forward-thinking creations are highly sought-after and have been spotted on red carpets and award shows around the world. His creations have been worn by celebrities including Mason Alexander Park, Kuan-Ting Liu, 24kGoldn, and Bretman Rock.

His status was only elevated with approval from one of fashion's most powerful advocates for emerging designers, UpNextDesigner's Albert Ayal, which recently landed him on British Vogue's radar as a designer to watch.

One would be surprised to learn that less than five years ago, Lim did not envision a career in fashion at all. He reveals that he found tailoring dull and repetitive after years of working for his parents, both of whom are tailors.

What changed his mind was the global rise of fashion visionaries in 2018 such as Kanye West and the late Virgil Abloh. “They were elevating streetwear and revolutionising luxury brands. I was fascinated by their fresh, young takes on traditional tailored silhouettes,” he says. “I couldn’t afford these designer items so I had to create them for myself!”

Above Dickson Lim

He recalls the reactions when he wore his early creations with a laugh: “Everyone thought what I was wearing was weird or ugly.”

In search for a community who shared his interests, he found Andrew Tan, the man behind Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW). In 2020, Tan approached him with an opportunity to design a 30-piece collection for the fashion event. “It was surreal. I didn’t go to fashion school. I didn’t really know how to sketch but I still said yes,” says Lim.

Above Bretman Rock wears Dickson Lim Scrupulous D Cutaway Blazer (Photo: Instagram/@bretmanrock)

Above Mason Alexander Park wears Dickson Lim Deconstructed 3-Button Blazer in azure blue (Photo: Instagram/@masonalexanderpark)

Later that year, he made history as the youngest fashion designer at age 19 to debut at KLFW. Building on that momentum, Lim founded his eponymous fashion label—a bold creative and commercial move as the entire fashion industry was reeling from the shock of a global pandemic.

“It was a steep learning curve because there was no reference point. At the time, no one was doing what I was doing. I had to learn everything myself,” he says, recounting endless hours watching YouTube videos and poring over books for beginners.

“To this day, I’m a one-man team. I’m still figuring out everything through trial and error, from designs to pricing and marketing strategy."

- Dickson Lim -

Above Bloom Blazer

Above Horn Blazer

Above Convergence Blazer

Above Deconstructed Breasted Blazer

“Looking back on the last two years and what I’ve achieved, I’m really proud of myself,” he says. His spring/summer 2023 collection, I Have A Dream, which he presented at KLFW 2022, is an accumulation of his journey in the last three years,.

"I'm trying to find the balance between perfecting my signature pieces while experimenting with new silhouettes and designs," he shares.

When asked about his future plans, he plays it close to the chest: "I’ve learned that if you take care of the process, the goal will take care of itself. I just want to focus on doing my best on whatever I am working on."