Dream Designs

As the founder and designer of FIBRENO, Iris Lim (Class of 2002) is bringing a pop of color to the world of luxury fashion accessories, with three stores garnering international recognition from their locations in Seoul and a pop-up experience set to open in Jakarta… And it all started with a box of crayons.

Iris was just 6 years old when she boarded a plane from South Korea to the Big Durian, a flight that would set her on the path of a third-culture kid and a JIS Dragon. She had made sure to pack her beloved box of crayons, not knowing they would play a role in shaping her path as an artist in the making.

"From a young age, I loved crayons," she recalls. "When I moved to Indonesia at the age of 6, I brought a 64-color crayon set with me on the plane. I grew to love drawing and design, and the colors found in Indonesia’s nature became a huge source of inspiration for me." 

As a High School student at JIS, Iris would find endless opportunities to explore her creativity, immersing herself in a vibrant panoply of artistic disciplines, techniques, and media.

"One of the best things about JIS was the opportunity to experience a wide range of art classes in various fields," she says. "Drawing, sculpture, jewelry, batik — these early experiences have been invaluable in shaping my brand. For example, at FIBRENO, we now offer products in ceramics, jewelry, and silk scarves.” 

Iris still cherishes “the memories from those days”, especially being surrounded by the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds of her fellow Dragons. They gave her the gift of empathy and a global perspective that would help her thrive on her path ahead.

“I believe that it’s only by understanding and respecting ‘differences’ that we can truly grow as human beings,” she reflects. “The friendships I formed with people from diverse countries gave me the confidence to communicate with anyone, no matter where I go.”

While pursuing graphic design at university, an unexpected opportunity led her deeper into the world of leather craftsmanship while interning at a company owned by a family friend.

“After work, I would bring home leftover leather scraps, cut them, and experiment with them. That’s when I began nurturing my dream."

That dream came to fruition when FIBRENO was born. Built upon the concept of “Color for Life”, the brand started with leather stationery before expanding into bags, clothing, and jewelry. Its signature offering, however, remains the handbag.

Like any flourishing business, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Eleven years into FIBRENO’s journey, Iris found herself overwhelmed by the ever-increasing demand for her brand’s product lines, which, in turn, also had to expand to keep up. Changes needed to be made, and she would find some much-needed support from a fellow Dragon.

“I decided it was time to rebrand, [so] I spent a year reflecting and collaborating. The company that helped was led by a JIS Alum, Moon Sang-hyun, who, in my opinion, is one of the best graphic designers. We worked together for a year, and the result has been fantastic."

The rebrand propelled FIBRENO to new heights, taking its top-quality wares to Milan Fashion Week in 2024. Further international expansion is also in the works, with Iris setting her sights on the country that inspired her as a burgeoning artist. 

“Currently, FIBRENO has a large and loyal customer base in Indonesia. We’ve connected with various retail companies in Jakarta and are discussing the future of FIBRENO. However, I also wanted to challenge myself to present FIBRENO in the best possible way from the very start," she says.

With a pop-up in Jakarta already in the works, Iris returned to the Big Durian earlier this year to set things in motion. And despite her busy schedule, this devoted Dragon made the time to stop by the Cilandak campus to “reflect on the dreams I had when I was a student”.

“It was a moment of determination for me, and I thought to myself, ‘I want to do this well’. Looking back at myself from a third-person perspective — someone who once ran toward her dreams — I realized I want to properly present FIBRENO, which will be launching in Jakarta. I hope you’ll look forward to it. I also want to express my gratitude to the JIS alumni for making this opportunity possible once again.”