*Patricia Lu, Intern at Phillip Lim
Scoring an internship with one of fashion's most–buzzed–about young designers is worth a little extra effort. Just ask Patricia Lu, a senior fashion–design major at Drexel University in Philadelphia, who endures a two–hour bus commute from Pennsylvania three days a week for her coveted gig at Phillip Lim's Manhattan design studio. "Whatever it takes," says the 21–year–old, noting that the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. "The company is still small, so I get to do a lot. I work closely with Phillip's right hand, Kim Bui. Some days I'll help with sketches, and others I'm out sourcing fabrics. My favorite thing is seeing a design go from an outline on a piece of paper to the finished product." Since the aspiring designer sits right outside Lim's office, the powers of observation work in both directions. "I try to wear cute clothes," says Patricia, "but I keep it pretty basic." While flats are a must for running around, she passes on jeans in favor of low–key dresses and cardigans. "Sometimes I'll get a compliment on my outfit, and it's H&M," she says. "But on special days, I'll wear some Phillip Lim."—JANE KELTNER
