S'pore rich kid sells $20k worth of branded items for charity
He made headlines last year with his customised Ferrari and his branded shoe collection worth at least half a million dollars.
Now, one of the "Rich Kids of Singapore", Mr Kane Lim, is giving back to society.
The 25-year-old, who owns at least 200 pairs of designer footwear, some of which cost more than $8,000 each, will be selling his pre-loved and new items at discounted prices at the Singapore Red Cross International Bazaar at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on March 15.
The items, which include a rare Hermes crocodile bracelet and a new Celine bag, are estimated to be worth more than $20,000 in retail value.
Mr Lim, who is based in Los Angeles, but is back in town for Chinese New Year, told The New Paper: "I am proud to be Singaporean and it's an honour to help out a Singapore charity."
The recent fashion graduate added: "I want to show that fashion is not superficial, it can also be about giving back.
"High fashion is super expensive, and not everyone can afford them. With this, people can enjoy fashion at a cheaper price for a good cause."
Over a year ago, he saw popular bloggers using their social media status to do business online.
Mr Lim, who has close to 64,000 followers on his Instagram account, then started a new account @thefashionfund_ to sell mainly used branded items from his own collection, with all the proceeds going to various charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and non-profit animal welfare organisation Race For The Rescues in the US.
His friends in the fashion industry have also donated branded shoes and bags to these causes.
The items he will be selling at the Red Cross event are mainly those from @thefashionfund_.
SHOPAHOLIC
The self-professed shopaholic does not feel a pang about giving up his valued items, saying matter-of-factly: "I am fortunate enough to enjoy these high fashion items at a young age.
"It's fulfilling when I can sell them for charity and see where the proceeds go to."
Mr Benjamin William, secretary-general of Singapore Red Cross, told TNP: "We are very happy and excited about Kane's participation.
"I believe this is the first time that we have had a high fashion or luxury good stallholder participating in the Red Cross International Bazaar.
"We hope that in the years ahead, we will have more such stalls."
He added: "We are confident that Kane's booth will be a hit among all the visitors, especially among the youth.
"Besides raising funds, the International Bazaar aims to increase awareness of the humanitarian services of the Singapore Red Cross and we hope that more will join us in our humanitarian mission."
Although pictures of his seemingly flamboyant lifestyle are splashed all over his Instagram account, Mr Lim, who is from a wealthy Singapore family that runs a billion-dollar business, is quick to play down his wealth.
Like in the previous interview that Mr Lim did with this reporter, he declined to reveal details of his family business or the identity of his father, saying that the family prefers to keep a low profile.
He also declined to reveal the university he graduated from in California, citing safety reasons.
Since his graduation last September, Mr Lim has been on the lookout for tech start-ups in the US to invest in.
He is also in talks with a new app developer in Los Angeles - where he plans to stay for the next few years - to create "something exciting related to fashion".
But as things are still in the pipeline, Mr Lim prefers to keep it under wraps.
Mr Lim said he has been approached by two production companies in Los Angeles to star in reality TV shows.
He said: "The shows are about affluent Chinese kids (in America) who are struggling to find their own identities and making a name for themselves.
"I am quite interested in the idea, but I am hesitant at the same time as it means giving up my privacy."
He laughed and added: "I am flying back on March 17 to do an interview with them before we decide on the next step. But of course, I need to lose 10kg first before I go on TV!"
"It's fulfilling when I can sell them for charity and see where the proceeds go to."
- Mr Kane Lim
His top five picks for sale at Red Cross International Bazaar
1. Black studded Christian Louboutin shoes TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
This is my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes that I bought four years ago for $1,500. At that time, I was just starting to make my own money, so $1,500 was a lot of money for me. I started with one pair and now I have about 200 pairs. So this really means a lot to me. I am going to sell it at $800 at the bazaar.
2. 30 new Brian Lichtenberg autographed caps TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
I got to know (US fashion designer) Brian Lichtenberg about a year ago, and he gave me a few outfits to wear to different events. We established a friendship and I bought the caps from him, but got him to autograph them specially for the Red Cross event. Each cap will be going for $150.
3. Rare Hermes crocodile bracelet TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
This is a rare Hermes crocodile bracelet and it retails for around $3,500. Usually, people will sell it for a much higher price online and make a bigger profit out of it. I'm selling it for $2,000.
4. New suede fringed Christian Louboutin heels TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
This was donated by my good friend Phoebe Leong, who owns multi-label boutique TriBeCa in Singapore. I think it's cool how the people around me are also donating to @fashionfund_ for a good cause. It retails for about $1,700 and I will sell it for $1,300.
5. New Celine two-tone tote bag TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
This was a birthday present from a few years ago. I thought I would donate it since I haven't used it at all. I think it retails for about $3,400, but I plan to sell it for $2,000.
ABOUT THE BAZAAR
The Singapore Red Cross International Bazaar will take place on March 15 from 10am to 7pm at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
The biennial event will have 80 stalls selling food such as pizza, ice cream, beef sandwiches and laksa as well as household items, fashion products and cultural handicrafts. Families can also partake in activities such as balloon sculpting and mosaic painting.
There will be stage performances such as a capella, and folk and traditional dance.
US-based local singer Wiltay will be appearing at around noon and 3.15pm.
Coupons are available on Groupon Singapore (http://www.groupon.sg/deals/singapore/groupon-16/719664655) , at the Singapore Red Cross' charity booth at Tangs Orchard today, tomorrow and on Sunday, and at Red Cross House at 15, Penang Lane, from Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 6pm.
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