Not your mom's style
MANILA, Philippines - At 29, she doesn’t look like your typical soccer mom. Yet Kai Nakanishi Lim, mother to a brood of two below the age of four, is exactly that. Though often garbed in crisp monochromatic looks or earthy dresses, Lim is a hands-on mother, one who juggles kids, a career and a seriously cool wardrobe. I ran into her at Cura V, the shop she co-owns and helms as head jewelry buyer, garbed in an ivory sweater, black skirt and black Celine luggage tote. In the mix of French labels and New York brands, Lim shops local often, no doubt in part to her connection to the Bench family (she’s married to Bryan Lim, nephew to Ben Chan, who handles the Bench Fix division).
With a political economy degree from UA&P under her belt, Lim is that rare breed: combining the qualities of down-to-earth mom and glamorous working woman.
YSTYLE: What are you currently working on?
KAI NAKANISHI LIM: My partners and I are preparing the holiday collection of Cura V.
Who taught you how to dress?
My mom, she was my biggest fashion critic growing up.
Where do you shop?
I like shopping in multi brand stores when I’m abroad… My staples are Bench, Club Monaco, COS, and Net-a-Porter.
What’s the last thing you purchased?
Shoes for my kids.
Who inspires you?
My family, I want to continuously grow and evolve for them. They inspire me to be better. My dad, he’s my benchmark for everything. When I need to make a decision, I always ask myself: What would my dad want me to do?
Favorite wardrobe piece you keep turning to?
Cocktail dresses by local designers, LBD’s, statement jewelry/ accessories.
Most insane garment you’ve ever purchased?
Pieces from Joey Samson. Style wise, I get to push the envelope a bit more when I go to Joey and I’m always happy with the result.
What would you never be caught dead in?
Mini skirts. Only because I don’t have the legs for it
When are you happiest?
When I’m with my family, whether it be weekends at home or on vacation with my husband and kids. They’re growing up so fast, each moment is really precious.
A few of her favorite things:
City: (big) Paris and Tokyo; (small) Sakai, Osaka
Drink: Water
Label: Bench, Repetto, Fallon
Favorite Gallery: Silverlens
Sunday afternoon haunt: Weekends are for the family so it’s usually ELC High Street for the kids or salon day with whole bunch.
Vacation destination: Paris And Hong Kong. Paris, because it’s the most romantic city in the world and Hong Kong because it’s so accessible — great food, shopping and Disneyland for the kids. Hong Kong is special because my husband and I got married there. We used to be city tourists but this summer we discovered our love for the beach. I think we’ll be going to more beach trips this year.
