31 Hours With Rose Li
The multi-hyphenate creative and friend of 3.1 Phillip Lim on her personal style, how fashion impacts her mental health, and more.
Fringe Sequins Slip Dress; Luna Bag (launching 10/21!).
Rose Li, aka @thecreativeclassicist, is what most would call a multi-hyphenate. She’s an executive in the field of international tax law, an incredible force in the realms of style and creative, and an all-around wonderful human being. Li, who is also a friend of 3.1 Phillip Lim, will be co-hosting an event at our Great Jones Street store on October 16th, where she will be sharing some of her favorite looks from the Fall-Winter 2025 collection, all of which will be available for guests to shop. A percentage of proceeds from the sales generated at the event will be donated to Apex for Youth, a charity in support of underprivileged AAPI youth that is also championed by our founder Wen Zhou who sits on their board.
Ahead of the charitable evening, we sat down with Li to find out how she got into to content creation and fashion, what she loves most about 3.1 Phillip Lim, and more. Scroll on to get all the insight.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from? What brought you to New York?
I'm Rose, @thecreativeclassicist, a content creator based in NY. I also work full time in an executive role in finance, and so my content is about real life dressing and style for adult women, who lead multifaceted lives. I moved to NY from Melbourne about 9 years ago—my work brought me over and it was a fantastic opportunity to help the expansion of the business to the US. Nine years later, I head up the office and have been maintaining my online style content for over five years!
With a successful career in finance, how did you also get into content creation? What about fashion in particular inspired you to get involved in this space?
I started my account during Covid. For me, I loved dressing, fashion and style. During Covid, working from home and being at home the whole time, I found playing around in my wardrobe as a creative outlet. It also gave me a sense of separation between work and home life (in the same space). So i started to document my daily outfits—which led to this account. Over time, I loved being part of the online discourse around personal style, and using style as part of self expression and a way of exuding confidence. Creators like Allison Bornstein started talking about style as part of wellness, and that idea really resonated with me. Fashion is more than just clothes, it is a simple (but important) self expression and self care that we can use to show respect to our environment and to ourselves in equal parts.
When did you first become aware of 3.1 Phillip Lim?
I remember when 3.1 Phillip Lim first came on the scene. I definitely noticed the brand because the designer was Asian. There really were not many brands with Asian designers, so I really wanted to pay attention to the brand and was curious about it. I also noticed the brand when the 31 Hour Bag (fun fact, that bag is the inspo behind our Substack name) was launched. Someone at work had one in the early 2010's. It was so chic (minimal and practical and luxurious), I actually really want one, even today. The design has stood the test of time!
What is it about the brand that you love?
I really admire the legacy that the brand has built and continues to build over 20 years. Yes, we always talk about the clothes —the wearability, the thought in bringing something special to every day pieces, the pieces that do the work for a busy multifaceted woman—but every time I have had the chance to see Wen, she is also talking about community. She is talking about the artists she is bringing into the boutique or introducing me to a non profit founder who 3.1 is dressing for an event. The work that Phillip did especially during Covid to spotlight the Asian American community in NY is what connected me to Apex for Youth.
How would you describe your personal style and how do pieces from 3.1 Phillip fit into that style?
I think my style is feminine and modern, but I always look for an unexpected element. I love classic but not preppy. I love being creative and modern, but in a way that is wearable for my real life. I think 3.1 pieces play in that zone—modern, deconstructed/layered details in every day classic pieces. The pieces make a women feel feminine but also dynamic and cool. I love those little details that make a piece interesting and unexpected and I think a lot of the times, seeing the 3.1 pieces in person really highlights those elements! I'm excited to do this in-person event at the flagship.
Cable Mix Double Layer Crewneck; Plaid Mix Draped Skirt, ID Medium Shoulder Bag, ID Glove Bootie.
How has your style changed since living in New York as opposed to Australia?
Definitely I have embraced more sportswear/streetwear elements since being in NY. I think making it fit my more polished style is often about the styling, but it’s also the pieces and the fabrications that do that. One of my favorite pieces at the moment are the 3.1 Curved Hem Sweatpants—something obviously sportswear coded, but the fabric is a more luxurious and the cut of the piece is like wearing a trouser (even though it has the comfort of a sweat)!
With the event having a charity component for mental health tell us a bit about your work in that space and what you are focusing on this month specifically?
The company I work for really strongly champions mental health awareness. In a high pressure environment like finance (and in NYC), it is such an important topic. I have had the chance to learn more about mental health through becoming a Mental Health First Aider. I'm definitely not an expert, but I feel it is an important topic to bring to light, to continue to talk about it and de-stigmatize talking about MH and getting support. It is something that still needs work in professional environments and also within Asian households and communities.
What are some ways that you prioritize your mental health? Do you have certain routines or rituals that you would never sacrifice?
I'm trying to get better at it! Finding time to go for a walk is big, or getting a workout in. I try to find slower moment in the morning to get ready and doing my skincare and makeup—maybe watching something I enjoy about fashion/style that inspires me. But really, what I'm focused on is learning to notice when I'm stressed or strained and to acknowledge it, and take steps to prioritize some self care (whatever form it takes).
How does your style help you maintain your mood/mental health?
Having a creative moment in the day with how I get dressed really does help. While it’s something we all "must do" (getting dressed), when I think about it as a moment of creativity, it becomes a 'self care' start to the day. And of course, when you nail a creative and appropriate outfit, that always feels good.
Come meet Rose at our flagship store at 48 Great Jones Street on October 16th. We will be donating 10% of sales generated from the event to Apex for Youth.