Meet: Roxanne Lim
- Written byEleanor Harvey
- Published date 20 July 2022
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Roxanne Lim’s interest lies at the intersection between creativity and sustainable innovation. During her time at London College of Fashion, UAL she found her footing within brand communication and art direction, focusing on sustainability. She realised the importance of being part of the creative solution.
Based in Malaysia, Roxanne’s career has included working at an impact organisation focused on making cities people-friendly; she’s currently focusing on creative brand development working with a start-up in New York.
Roxanne is also the leader of our Malaysia Alumni Group. We spoke to her about her career to date, and her plans for this new group.
You’re currently involved in several areas of work. Can you tell us more about them and your interests?
At the onset of the pandemic, I was hired at Think City. It’s an impact organisation in Malaysia focused on making cities people-friendly, resilient and sustainable. This line of work originated from a desire and urgency to foster a sustainable, inclusive growth in today's shifting landscape.
I'm interested in the intersection between creativity and sustainable innovation. I have recently delved deeper into a side project in creative brand development. One exciting brand involves a New York-based startup called Octet Labs, that is taking an eco-athleisure approach to the medical apparel industry using recycled materials and a core vision of inclusivity and diversity.
Have you always been passionate about sustainability?
It became more apparent to me after taking my gap year during my studies at LCF. I gained a better understanding of my values, strengths and aspirations, and found a fit in sustainability. Whether it’s a passion to one or not, no living being is exempt from the planetary risk we find ourselves facing — and so, what will it truly take for leaders and markets to realise such priority and for efforts to be collectively accelerated. I realised the role we all play in change-making and saw the significant need to be involved in this narrative.
Did your time at LCF support your current career at all? What are the benefits of a creative education?
I’ll always be grateful for my time at LCF. This is primarily to do with the faculty, community and industry access and value gained from getting an education there. London is also an integral part of this; the confluence of ideas, businesses and creativity is parallel to none. I wouldn’t be on my current journey had I not pursued a creative education at this leading specialist institution.
I believe the institution and programmes do live up to the name. UAL and the colleges have exceptional reputations; for the 4th year in row UAL is 2nd in the world for arts and design education (QS University Rankings), and LCF was recently named 1st as the world's best fashion school on CEOWORLD Magazine.
UAL has exceptional offerings. Among them include being in an energising and competitive environment of talent, inspiring programme leaders and influential industry networks. I benefited from learning to push boundaries, grow a creative voice, and explore my niche on a personal level.
You’re also the current Leader of the UAL Alumni Malaysia Group. Can you tell us more about this new community?
I initiated the first community meeting in 2020, (a few months before the pandemic lockdown), which had a great turnout, and the members were comforted in knowing that a group existed. It has a good blend of generations and different levels of experience. I started this with the thinking that it would be beneficial to have a group available for people to network, seek and provide support from and it is my aim to cultivate and empower a creative community. It’s been a rewarding experience to get involved and I must thank the key person, Ele Harvey (UAL Alumni Relations Administrator), in large for being the conduit in achieving any of the outcomes.
What are your future plans for the Malaysian Alumni Group?
The immediate progress with the group would be to get reconnected during this endemic phase. I’ve recently met up with a few members and had a great time hearing about the endeavours and interests they’ve moved into. The next phase is about encouraging them to be vocal about their needs and how I or the group can empower and support each other — the launch of a member’s contemporary fashion label is next up, and we’ll be taking it from there.