She walks in with an Hermès towel draped round her shoulders beneath her freshly washed hair and cheerfully broadcasts, “Hello! I’m right here!” If the slew of publicity in native malls that includes her visage to promote her beauty manufacturers weren’t indication sufficient, Kim Lim at all times makes her presence recognized. After all, “go huge or go residence” is her ethos, particularly in terms of operating her enterprise. The daughter of billionaire tycoon Peter Lim has her sights set on constructing an empire and is set to succeed.
Kim began out with the institution of hair-loss therapy centre Papilla Haircare in 2019 and has not stopped working in the direction of her objective since. Over the final three years, she has added extra manufacturers beneath her holding firm, KLHealth, together with medispa Illumia Therapeutics, aesthetics clinic Illumia Medical and skincare line Illumiaskin by Kim Lim.
Top, Dries Van Noten at Club 21; biking shorts, Dior
The 31-year-old has been expanding her empire with new shops – most not too long ago a one-stop beauty vacation spot at i12 Katong that homes Illumia Therapeutics, Illumia Medical and Papilla Haircare beneath one roof. “The east is a strategic location as a result of a big quantity of our prospects reside there,” she remarks. “We are bringing our signature beauty expertise to those that stay within the east and don’t prefer to journey out of that space.”
Just like different founders on the entrepreneurial journey, Kim not solely is aware of the interior workings of her enterprise however takes delight in being very hands-on throughout features. A beauty fiend herself, all her therapies are “Kim-approved”, and she fronts the manufacturers because the face and ambassador.
Cropped cardigan and skirt, each Versace; footwear, Saint Laurent
However, as somebody born into energy and privilege, Kim is continually within the public eye. It is inevitable that there are detractors who consider she is simply operating the enterprise for enjoyable or that it’s constructed completely on her fame. To that, she earnestly asserts, “I can very confidently say none of that is true; the success of the enterprise is the amalgamation of my ardour for beauty and our dedication to delivering unparalleled outcomes.” Nonetheless, the astute businesswoman understands that robust merchandise alone is probably not sufficient to quash criticism and has been working on strengthening her model consciousness and credibility.
“I hope that, at some point, my title might be synonymous with aesthetics and beauty, and when folks assume of methods to realize their beauty objectives, the very first thing that involves their minds would be the Illumia and Papilla manufacturers,” she says. “I wish to go away a legacy.”
Jacket, vest, gown and turtleneck high, all Louis Vuitton
As Kim comes into her personal as an entrepreneur, there are arduous classes she has learnt. Many, she surmises, boil right down to mutual belief and respect. She references Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, who wrote in his novel Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman: “I typically assume that folks’s hearts are like deep wells. Nobody is aware of what’s on the backside. All you are able to do is think about by what comes floating to the floor each occasionally.”
The quote resonated with her after she realised that she was typically too trusting of others within the early days. “I’ve been very blessed to have met many individuals to this point who’ve proven me the goodness of their hearts, however not everyone seems to be like that. For some of them, you actually don’t know what their intentions are,” she explains. “I’m very glad that I now have a bunch of individuals who have caught with me, and we actually have one another’s backs.” While she has come to be extra savvy, behind closed doorways at our shoot with a crew she is aware of and loves, Kim’s guard is down. Her glamorous social media picture belies a spunky soul who typically bursts into boisterous laughter. Her banter with the photographer she affectionately calls “uncle” and her candid quips reveal her heat and openness.
Bralette and leggings, Jean Paul Gaultier x Lotta Volkova at Dover Street Market; Serpenti Viper earrings in white gold with diamonds, High Jewellery necklace in pink gold with tourmalines, peridot, amethysts and diamonds, Serpenti ring in white gold with diamonds, all Bulgari
Despite her busy schedule, Kim usually makes time to provide again to society. Growing up, her father taught her the significance of philanthropy – a price she is now imparting at work and instilling in her five-year-old son Kyden. When organising KLHealth, she put in place company social accountability (CSR) initiatives in assist of deprived teams such because the aged, kids and animals. “These are fixed efforts, and we simply assist at any time when we will,” provides Kim, who’s in talks with a number of organisations to assemble extra long-term CSR plans.
Beyond rising her model in Singapore, Kim has her sights set on ultimately expanding abroad, beginning with Southeast Asia. Right now, Kim is hitting pause on bodily retailer expansions, focusing as an alternative on growing her e-commerce enterprise and partnering with extra platforms comparable to tangs.com. There are plans to relaunch the Papilla Haircare collection within the third quarter of this 12 months, and introduce a new Illumiaskin vary.
Top, interior high, skirt and knickers, all Gucci
While channelling a lot power into her enterprise has been fulfilling, the self-confessed workaholic makes it some extent to spend extra high quality time with her family members and take excellent care of herself. She finds respite in going for therapies at Illumia Therapeutics and Papilla Haircare. “The therapies assist me look and really feel good, so I at all times really feel model new after I step out. It’s essential to know when to take a break and recharge your batteries earlier than heading again out to overcome the world.”
Her high precedence and largest pleasure is, of course, her son. Everything she does is for him. “He’s actually one of one of the best issues that has occurred to me,” says Kim. An excellent day trip for the mom and son goes toy and grocery purchasing. “Toys are one thing Kyden and I each actually like, so we are going to at all times have a ton of enjoyable. Then we’ll often go to the grocery retailer, take a look at all of the fruits and greens, and Kyden will at all times say one thing tremendous random and crack me up.”
She believes she is extra of a “chill mum” to Kyden, however is agency about not spoiling him. “You can have all of the riches and the best of schooling, however if you’re essentially a foul particular person, then there’s no level to something. It’s about inculcating ethical values and elevating a sort particular person with an excellent coronary heart. Things don’t simply fall from the sky and that is what Kyden is studying. We use a reward mannequin at residence, and he solely will get a present when he’s on actually good behaviour or if he did some chores.”
As our crew evaluations a photograph of Kim in-between pictures, she takes the chance to pose for a number of extra on her telephone in a Gucci outfit – with her eyes locked on the lens and fingers outstretched in a playfully menacing approach. “Send that to Kyden!” she calls out as she walks again on set. He is at all times on her thoughts.
Header picture: Shirt with tulle overlay, Comme des Garçons
FASHION DIRECTION JOHNNY KHOO | ART DIRECTION AUDREY CHAN | PHOTOGRAPHY WEE KHIM | FASHION STYLING JACQUIE ANG | HAIR LOUIS LIM/ PASSION HAIR SALON | MAKE-UP SHAUN LEE, USING CHANEL BEAUTY | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE IVAN TEO | FASHION ASSISTANCE KEVIN TEW
This story first appeared within the August 2022 subject of Prestige Singapore
https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/people-events/folks/kim-lim-on-her-expanding-beauty-empire-and-new-phase-of-life/
