SUYEN, THE GIRL BEHIND SUYEN

It was her uncle, Ben Chan, who named her when she was born in 1980, after a character in the evocative Hong Kong-shot classic Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.

A few years later, a company was named after her – by her parents Virgilio and Nene Lim, and Uncle Ben – the much-admired Suyen Corporation, company name of fashion retail giant Bench.

 Now, at 23 years old, Suyen Lim is giving it all back to her parents, her uncle and Suyen Corp. She has been product manager of the creative department of the Human line since August 2003, after finishing her studies at the London College of Fashion.

 Suyen is a pretty blend of traditional and modern, being the youngest child of an established Filipino-Chinese family and also a hip, trendy girl who spent many happy years on her own in hip London. Her eldest brother, Suyen general manager Bryan Lim, says fondly of her, "When we used to visit her in London we would be amazed at how she changed. She was so different –individualistic, assertive, very sure of herself. Of course, now that she’s back here she has to sort of go back to the way she was, but her old London self is still there."

Back home after three years, Suyen is now trying to live up to the expectations of her family, as she relishes the responsibility given to her in the family company. Her days are now spent designing new apparel for Human in her own cubicle at the Suyen headquarters in Pasay City, and she is happy to apply all that she learned from her student days abroad.

Incidentally, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing won an Oscar for Best Costume Design and became a reference for many fashion editorials for the gorgeous dresses worn by the lead character Han Suyin. A splendid coincidence indeed for fashion giant Suyen Corporation, and fashion newcomer Suyen Lim.

Why did you choose the London College of Fashion?

SUYEN LIM: I was accepted in FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) New York and Sofia University Japan. It was a choice between Japan and the UK. My course in Japan would have been Business Economics which I felt was not as relevant to the nature of Bench’s business nor to my interest in Fashion Management.  

What’s your favorite get-up?

It depends on my mood. When I’ve worn casual too much, I crave for more dressy outfits and the other way around. I like wearing cropped pants, sleeveless with sandals, especially with the weather! But I also used to enjoy wearing kneelength boots with my skirt when it was sensible.

What did you learn from being on your own abroad?

Being in London was about exposure. I’ve always been on the creative and artistic side, so I’m very grateful I got that opportunity. London is different in the sense that their perspective in life is so unique, their humor is just great and their style is really their own. 

What was it like living in London?

In my first year I lived in student housing, then in my second year I moved to my own flat in Kensington. I was back in Manila every summer. In London I really had to learn to fend for myself.

Was it like breaking free?

Let’s just say I had a very good balance between work and play!

School-wise, what sort of knowledge did you acquire?

You learn a lot from your classmates because of the international environment. My friends were American, Japanese, English, very few Filipinos. I studied more of the retailing, business side, so it was very practical, hands-on knowledge. Very much like business school, but fashion-oriented. For my school project I had to work at Kookai, and I learned the ins and outs of the business there.

So now that you’re back here, how does it feel to be working in a family company?

I still feel lucky. I have other friends like me, from Chinese-Filipino families, who have to work for the family company too, but I’m very fortunate that ours is in the fashion industry. Things are more glamorous and interesting.

What’s the downside of working in a family company?

Sometimes we take our work problems home. Even when you’re out of the office you still discuss business over dinner, that sort of thing. You’re on call 24 hours. And so there’s more pressure to perform better, because the expectations are high. In my case I’m the only one among my siblings who was sent abroad to study, so the expectations of me are different as well.

Who’s your favorite Bench model?

Not one of the hunky ones! It’s John Pratts. He has a cute face.

What are your goals as a designer for Human?

I want to try to create fashionable things at good prices, since Human is known for that. Just because something is inexpensive doesn’t mean it has to be of bad quality or it’s not stylish.

And what is your vision for Human so far?

Compared to Bench, Human is a fashionable brand, it’s edgy, it’s more youthful. Now, we’re pushing towards doing more athletic-looking apparel, which reflects the current trend nowadays. That way we can communicate to more people and have an edge.

What are your work habits?

I do a lot of research. I surf the Internet, I look at magazines, study trend forecasts. What Uncle Ben instructed me to do when I first worked here was to learn how to get inspiration from the best in fashion all around the world, and from there create a collection.

Describe your work space.

My office space is in a bit of a mess which is distressing since I like things being neat. I have a rack of clothes for all the samples for the collection. Files of artworks that I can’t seem to file properly. References like magazines (a lot of them) and catalogues that I can get my inspiration from. A board for what a collection will consist of. Posted on my wall are schedules for deadlines and the year’s activities for the brand, and season’s colors. My computer, of course. The cubicle to my left is my colleague for Greyhound and to my left are my artists. Works very well.

Any designers you admire?

I like Paul Smith and Miuccia Prada. Paul Smith because of his attention to detail – that’s how he makes things beautiful. He manages to take something simple and make it interesting. I read a few articles on him when I was in college, and he mentioned how young designers should be familiar with the technology of the manufacturer because it is through working with them that you come up with something unique and interesting. I admire how he is resourceful.

Miuccia Prada creates her own fashion. She is a trendsetter rather than a follower which is what many other designers do for their label to be accepted by people. Prada does not conform and yet is being followed and accepted.

Who’s on your best-dressed list?

Well, I’m not really into celebrities and all that, so the most stylish people I know are not famous at all! I remember this girl at school who, to me, really had style. Her wardrobe was totally ’80s – and she carried it so well. It was effortless and natural, not tacky at all. After that all these girls started copying her, but they just couldn’t get it right.

What are you learning from the management styles of Ben Chan and your parents?

Uncle Ben is very hands-on, he’s really a perfectionist. My dad is very professional, and he knows how to delegate responsibility. My mom has a traditional Chinese style of doing business, is quite strict and she knows when to put her foot down. Hopefully, my siblings and I will be able to blend all these styles when we run Suyen someday.