What happens when you put cousins Loui Lim and Li Tim who are also best friends in the same room? High-energy fun, mischief and lots of laughter — oh, and did we mention fun?
Pictured above: On Loui Lim: Chopard Chopard Alpine Eagle Chrono 44mm watch, Chopardissimo with signature in white gold pendant with chain; Dior Men head-to-toe; On Li Tim: Chopard L.U.C GMT One watch, Ice Cube Rock pendant in rose gold and ceramic with chain, Ice Cube rings in white gold and rose gold with diamonds; Dior Men head-to-toe.
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On what’s a typical day for them:
Loui Lim: “I am a late night owl so I’m usually a zombie in the morning. After downing my much-needed caffeine, I’ll head to the office for meetings, work out over lunch break, followed by more meetings. In the evening, I’ll have dinner at home and then switch my brain off to Netflix.”
Li Tim: “I’m a bit of an early bird, that’s when I get most of my thinking and planning done seamlessly, whatever the task is at hand. Other than scheduled meetings, I’ve pretty flexible work hours, but work never stops away from office anyways! I often have lunches planned with a friend or two, you know, for sanity.”
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On their skills learned during lockdown:
Loui Lim: “It’s been 10 years since I picked up a paintbrush, and I was pretty excited to start painting again. I painted a portrait of my brother’s girlfriend, but it was in the style of Picasso since I’m still rusty! During the lockdown I also had a short-lived career as a home baker, but I’m pretty sure I’ve learnt how to make the perfect banana bread!”
Li Tim: “Absolutely nothing.”
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Chopard Chopardissimo bangle in rose gold, Chopardissimo ring in rose gold; Louis Vuitton Jacquard sweatshirt, technical cotton trousers, calf leather Rivoli sneakers.
On their perspective of time:
Loui Lim: “We are all living in this world rushing from point A to point B, that in a way we are a colony of ants trapped in an ant farm. I try not to think too deeply about the future, because there are many factors that remain out of our control, coronavirus being a perfect example. Of course, I still worry a lot about the future, but I would be better off trying to live in the moment, which is already tricky enough as it is.”
Li Tim: “Fleeting, precious, mainly anxiety-inducing when thought about. However, it’s opportune, and it helps to know that God and His plans transcend time, and so, time for us being temporal, makes it less scary.”
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On the most annoying misconception people have about them:
Loui Lim: “Social media offers a lot of positives but one of the negatives is that people fall into the trap of believing everything they see. The posts are generally very curated, edited and styled to project a certain lifestyle. My life is not glamorous every day, I have a job and it is highly stressful, especially during this pandemic. I have begun posting more content around nature, because it is something that has interested me during lockdown, and I also think it is important for people to escape the city and appreciate nature while keeping a healthy lifestyle.”
Li Tim: “I’m a pretty simple guy, after pretty simple things in life. I know it doesn’t seem that way via my public Instagram profile. I get that a lot! But whatever the misconception went way back to when I was in high school even — pre-Instagram! The amount of times people have told me that they’ve found me to be completely the opposite of what they had expected, and are pleasantly surprised… whatever that’s supposed to mean!”
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On their personal style:
Loui Lim: “My style really depends on my mood which is always changing. I love seeing when people make an effort with what they wear, and it inspires me to try something new that may not be my typical style. If I had to pick one, I would dress like Jude Law’s character in the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley — the style is so elegant yet relaxed, and will remain classic forever.”
Li Tim: “You know, I get asked this a lot and I still have no succinct answer. I enjoy most being in off-duty clothing, usually in a skate fit. It’s comfortable, God forbid I’ve to wear anything tight and fitted. Also, how hot is Malaysia for that? I think I’m pretty playful with my choices, however not everything thrown together is magic, and so the restraint, resulting in balanced and effortless, or so I hope!”
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Chopard Chopardissimo with signature in white gold pendant with chain, Ice Cube rings in white gold and rose gold with diamonds; Louis Vuitton Jacquard sweatshirt, technical cotton trousers, calf leather Rivoli sneakers.
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On their biggest extravagance:
Loui Lim: “Probably my clothes, I love well-tailored suits and shirts. I recently bought some suits from Dzojchen, which is a small Singaporean brand that has made a very successful career dressing Hollywood actors. The only problem is I don’t have anywhere to go to wear these suits now.”
Li Tim: “Hmmm… I’d have to say my growing-ever-so-slowly collection of jewellery and watches.”
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On their favourite fashion designer of brand:
Loui Lim: “Anything from Tom Ford is a yes for me. He’s taken classic Savile Row tailoring but made it extremely flattering and super sexy. A Single Man, the movie he directed, is basically one long commercial for his clothing brand. I could watch the film just to appreciate the clothes, and Juliane Moore is such a mood in the movie.”
Li Tim: “Loewe, I find Jonathan Anderson to be a creative genius. His take on daily menswear is unlike his runway stuff, it has just the right amount of cool, fun, all while being relaxed.”
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Loui Lim and Li Tim wearing Gucci head-to-toe.
On their fashion must-haves:
Loui Lim: “I’ll pack according to where I am travelling to. If I’m going to New York or LA, a motorcycle jacket and vintage tee. If I’m headed to the beach, I’ll bring tailored swim shorts from Orlebar Brown. If I’m going somewhere cold, then most likely a puffer jacket from Moncler.”
Li Tim: “I have none, I pack pretty efficiently, every item I bring needs to serve at least two or more outfits. It’s pretty easy I suppose with my wardrobe, seeing as I look like a worker or carpenter.”
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On their daily grooming regime:
Loui Lim: “I’ll try to do the bare minimum, which I’m sure is still more than the average guy. I use a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturiser from Dermalogica. I get bad acne breakouts from time to time, so I do go for regular facials.”
Li Tim: “I’ve always enjoyed skincare but most days I don’t even wash my face before bed. Hair too is perpetually in a bit of a mess, may or may not be intentional though. [Laughs] Nails, however, I cut them the moment I see whites! Long gritty nails are gross, what can you possibly achieve with them other than bacteria?”
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On good family values:
Loui Lim: “It’s very important to me. My family have always taught and practiced humility, hard work and acts of kindness.”
Li Tim: “It’s absolutely everything. Sure, people are influenced by a multitude of things, but when it comes to it, your core values, it’s either there or it’s not. And it shows eventually!”
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On their secrets to success:
Loui Lim: “There isn’t really a secret, ultimately it comes down to hard work. I’ve had it pretty easy compared to my grandfather, who came from nothing and started off as a vegetable farmer in China before becoming successful. We need to remember that anything is possible with hard work, and nobody should stop you from achieving your dreams.”
Li Tim: “I wouldn’t say that I am, but if anything, I thankfully have quite the doting father who is patient enough with me to stomach my rubbish and help me day to day. Never be afraid to ask for help or advice, even from your peers – I do plenty of that!”
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On entrepreneurship:
Loui Lim: “It’s important for brands to engage with their customers, and to tell authentic stories. The younger generation of customers in particular are now so hyper-aware and conscious, that they will immediately be able to see through companies that are not being authentic. Sustainability is also another key consideration, because consumers increasingly care about the environment, and the impacts on their health. Sustainability is no longer a check box under corporate social responsibility, it is an obligation that is demanded by the customers.”
Li Tim: “I’m working on a skincare line and the biggest time spent at the drawing board mainly consisted of reminding or asking ourselves, ‘Why we exist and what sets us apart. Does it add value, and if so, does it come across?’ I suppose, to keep in mind these items so as to not deviate from your purpose, values and what you believe in.”
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On the #StopAsianHate Campaign:
Loui Lim: “Unfortunately, there has been escalating violence against Asians in the West, with the most recent case involving a mass murder attack, yet the language used by the police and Western media tend to downplay the seriousness of these incidents, by relating it merely to bad ‘tantrums’ or ‘sexual fantasies’. We need to acknowledge that these acts of violence are in fact hate crimes against the Asian community, and that we deserve equal recognition and support as other recent movements. Hopefully, by us being more vocal, we can create the wave of change that needs to happen.”
Li Tim: “Sad that it is even required, but it’s hardly surprising. If anything, it’s about time! Racism is so prevalent in any society that it’s important to remember we are all God’s children. It’s not for you to decide who is more or less inferior, because God doesn’t even have those distinctions. And if you think you have more of a right than God, mate, you need to re-evaluate yourself.”
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On what’s next for them in 2021:
Loui Lim: “I hope to see vaccines rolling out as soon as possible, so that borders can open up again and people can start travelling. I would love to see all my friends in Hong Kong and other parts of the world. I also hope that everyone who has suffered emotionally or financially during this period, will be able to recover soon, and see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Li Tim: “It will be interesting to see how life, and the way in which we do things continue to remain different, post-Covid. Having to cut back, it really puts into perspective the necessary and the secondary. And I think that will really change the way people see and operate their businesses. I hope everyone get through this because things will bounce back!”
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Photography Vincent Paul Yong
Words & Creative Direction: John Ng
Styling Syazil Abd Rahim
Grooming Cat Yong
Hair Juno Ko
Special thanks Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree
Read the full interview feature with Loui Lim and Li Tim and see their full photoshoot in the Men’s Folio Malaysia May 2021 issue, now out on newsstands, bookstores and online via magzter.com.
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