Revisit the Making of the Phillip Lim Cool-Girl

Meet Soleil, the "fun and culturally curious" lady of Fall 2014, who carries a variety of bags that only get bigger and better with slogan-laded totes and a sharp new clutch shape.

Softer violet and mint mingled with fuchsia and ochre in boxy shapes, including patchwork shearling jackets.

Eveningwear took a surprisingly amped-up role with tuxedo vests over a glittering skirt and this full-on black red carpet gown with sheer inserts.

Metallic cracked leather gave a button-down Lim's signature cool-girl flair.

Lim played masculine versus feminine with peplum and 'laxed trousers.

Phillip Lim turned up the cool factor on a sweatshirt with sheer detailing.

A cozy anorak and minihemline played opposites in this layered look.

A perfect Fall palette, finished in army green, charcoal, and brown leather.

Lim's over-the-knee boots, structured bags, and heavy layers defined cool on the Fall '13 runway.

Flirty dresses in navy and white floated down the runway.

Colorblocked blue hues complimented sweatshirt silhouettes.

Lim brought the overalls back for Spring, here in a bright pink hue.

He also put his unique stamp on the hugely popular colorblocking trend with this pantsuit.

Lim gave street-chic edge to our essentials, like this leather jacket to top high-waisted trousers.

Spring '12 showed light-as-air frocks and chic metallic heels.

Lim showed sporty, lean silhouettes in pretty pastel hues.

Splashy floral print pants and petal-pink leather for Spring '12.

Long, lean silhouettes punctuated the Fall '11 collection.

Lim showed bright trousers mixed with chunky charcoal knits.

An example of the designer's knack for nailing the classics with modern sensibility for the Spring '11 collection.

Lim updated the classic trench in transparent fabrics and sleek black piping.

This season, the designer again paired the best of wearable neutrals with bold statement pieces.

Leather details on body-hugging silhouettes, but the results are just sexy enough, never overt.

Again, when Lim plays with print, he doesn't lose sight of the silhouette or fit and works in colors that wear easily.

For Fall '10, Lim gave women an enviable way to wear shearling — paired with minidresses.

This sparkly blazer-style dress captivated the fashion world.

Neutrals in leather and cropped jackets to go with. As always, Lim played on proportion and classic wardrobe staples with updated, on-trend reinventions.

This season, the designer played with sportswear — the chic, easy pant in a bright color.

A darker palette and a pair of leather shorts we all had to have when they walked the runway in Fall '09.

A retro-style moment reinterpreted with Lim's modern tailoring.

For Fall '09, Lim channeled the '70s in shaggy fur pieces paired with more wearable separates.

Bold colors and vibrant print rounded out the collection.

Ruffle-adorned dresses with polish.

Structure, again married with the playful hints of femininity for Spring '09.

A whimsical, sheer maxi paired with a leather jacket shows off the designer's eye for creating looks in complete balance.

The designer's addition of print was playful, but not over the top, toned down in wearable pieces and tailored separates.

Red hues on playful, girlie, but always cool dresses.

For Fall 2008, the designer added bold details to a neutral palette and streamlined column dress.

Red accents lend a chic finish to neutral hues.

Again, Lim's attention to the silhouette made the Spring '08 looks all about effortless-chic.

As a contrast to the little dress, Lim offered up smart menswear with a femme cropped jacket to complement.

Leather jackets only upped the cool vibe thrown on minidresses and paired with tights.

With relaxed silhouettes and a neutral palette, Lim delivered a very cool-girl Fall '07 collection.

Again, it's Lim's easy approach to femininity that defined the looks in the Spring '07 collection.

Ethereal, flowing dresses with chic necklines and effortless finish.

Spring '07 was marked by lightness and modernity.

Lim managed to deliver both the femme and the tomboy rolled into one.

Ruffle adorned dresses that felt easy, not fussy.

The designer's Fall '06 presentation brought a sophisticated-meets-feminine vibe via bows and luxe details.