A trip to New York in the 1990s further solidified Lim’s love for bags. Drawn into a cluster of vintage shops, she paused outside one store where sunlight streamed through a window. “I stopped because the light was sparkling on something, and when I looked closer, I realised they were lucite handbags,” she said. “At the time, I didn’t even know what they were made of, but they were beautiful.” Lucite handbags are vintage-style purses made from a type of acrylic plastic. They became especially popular in the 1940s to 1960s, known for their boxy, sculptural shapes and glossy finish.  Over the course of her corporate career, Lim worked with several luxury brands, including Dior, Donna Karan, and Giorgio Armani. She now runs her own fashion label, Strangebutcool, known for its distinctive aesthetic with bold, expressive prints.  “When I left the fashion industry, I asked myself: I’ve got just about every bag from every label out there – there has got to be something more interesting. That’s when I started carrying vintage bags. From then …