Michelle Lim: From Banking to Fashion

What's a banker doing in the world of fashion?

At first glance, that seems to be the question foremost in the minds of people who knew her during her years in the world of finance. But, really, to those who have known her from her years in high school in our good old St. Theresa's College Quezon City, the obvious question must be...

What for did you go into banking?

Michelle Mesina Varela Lim's strongest assets back in high school has always been in the arts; acing it so much more easily than the academic subjects she found herself crawling to pass. Yet, after graduation, she went on to take a traditional course, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Santo Tomas. Thus, starting her in an early career in banking.

Nevertheless, Michelle found time in the afternoons, while still in university, to take further studies in a fashion school. So even as she tried to pursue a sedate career in banking, she continued to squeeze her creative juices. Eventually, while still connected with a bank, she made small items for bridal give-aways and started supplying the Filipiniana Section of Rustan's with her clothing line, Kimona.

After four years of working in a bank, she chose to concentrate in designing and making clothes and soon opened her own clothes shop along Katipunan Avenue. Her Mercer dress shop made bridal gowns and debut and prom gowns. In 2001, she became a consignor for SariSari with her formal line, Michelle Lim by SariSari. To date, Michelle has put up a new clothes shop, Okasyon, which has branches in Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Ermita, Festival Mall, Greenhills and soon, in Glorietta.

Currently, there is so much to be all excited about in Michelle's fashion life. There is the new prospect of a tie-up with a Malaysian clothes brand that will carry her Okasyon name in its Greenbelt store. Michelle is also looking forward to retailing in the Mall of Asia and even in Cebu!

From the somber walls of the banking world, Michelle has stepped into the exciting and colorful world of fashion. But isn't that just a return to where her heart has always been?

On Sunday, October 26, Michelle's big moment in the fashion industry has come. She will be a featured designer in The Philippine Fashion Week where she will showcase her Spring and Summer collection alongside about a hundred other Philippine designers. Her big event will be held at Function Room 4, Third Floor, SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex at 2:30 in the afternoon. Attire is fashionably chic. She hopes to see you all!