Fashion designer Phillip Lim with his collection of Cy Twombly photographs from the artist’s “Tulips” series.
Photo: RASAAN WYZARD
Phillip Lim Reveals His Emotional Connection to a Series by Cy Twombly
The fashion designer is drawn to the fleeting beauty of the photographs, a lesser-known element of the artist’s practice
I was introduced to the art world by my dear friend art adviser BJ Topol, who is now one of my brand ambassadors. When we were getting to know each other, she would take me on art outings, and without knowing any of the backgrounds of the artists, or whose work I was looking at, it was just an opportunity to see what I responded to.
Through her, I was able to acquire a big Hiroshi Sugimoto photograph of Richard Serra sculpture and a Richard Serra oil-stick that looked like an artwork by Lucio Fontana, who I was also responding too. I acquired a beautiful late piece by Joan Mitchell and then also these Cy Twombly photographs. It was just instinct that attracted me to the work, and then later I would find out more about who the artists were.
A collection of Cy Twombly photographs from the artist’s “Tulips” series. Photo: RASAAN WYZARD
All the artworks in my collection either have a void or are in a state of transition, with an ephemeral quality. When I stumbled upon these Cy Twombly works at Gagosian, I hadn’t known that he had done photographs. I love the images because there’s a fleeting beauty to them, and I like that they also remind me of bodega tulips. I appreciate that contrast of very high and low.
“I love the image because there’s a fleeting beauty to them”
Phillip Lim
Right now, I’m in the middle of a move, so they’re currently leaning against the wall in a sort of transitional space, which I think is the perfect context for them. I love the image because there’s a fleeting beauty to them, and I love that they also remind me of bodega tulips. I love that contrast of very high and low.
Fashion designer Phillip Lim with his collection of Cy Twombly photographs from the artist’s “Tulips” series. Photo: RASAAN WYZARD
Whatever you surround yourself with informs you in ways you don’t necessarily realize. Sometimes it’s very direct through a color, through a shape, but other times it’s just a feeling, a certain type of emotive quality. How that translates to my work is I always try to capture that transient moment.
My brand is approaching its 20th anniversary, which is in September, and I’m trying to not overthink it. I just want to go back to joy and the feeling when I started in this industry. When I look at this work, there’s an intimate quality to it. That’s really what I’m trying to convey right now.
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2024 Fall Issue in the section In Focus. Subscribe to the magazine.
Cover: Fashion designer Phillip Lim with his collection of Cy Twombly photographs from the artist’s “Tulips” series.
Photo: RASAAN WYZARD
