'If I lose everything... at least I'm happy now'

'If I lose everything... at least I'm happy now'

Rich Kids Of Beverly Hills?

Meet the rich kids of Singapore.

Like Kane Lim, whose Instagram account @kanelk_k features numerous snaps of his Chanel bags, his enviable shoe collection worth at least half-a-million dollars and his customised Ferrari that has its signature insignia replaced with a panda logo because "it makes it different" and the animal is his "online persona".

The new US reality show #RichKids Of Beverly Hills became an overnight sensation when it premiered mid-January, drawing more than 5.5 million viewers.

The TV series follows the extravagant and privileged lifestyles of five wealthy, self-indulgent 20-somethings from the upscale Beverly Hills community in Los Angeles, US.

It airs here on Sundays at 10pm on E! Entertainment (StarHub Ch 441).

The show was inspired by the popular Tumblr blog Rich Kids Of Instagram, which is a compilation of photos taken from the Instagram feeds of rich young adults and features pictures of expensive watches, champagne parties, fast cars and highly-coveted designer bags.

Mr Lim, 24, is one of those regularly featured on the blog.

The fashion major undergraduate at a California university has amassed over 42,000 followers since he started his Instagram account two years ago.

There's even a personalised video message from US pop superstar Mariah Carey thanking him for his donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which she raises money for.

He counts Barbadian pop star Rihanna as one of his followers and his photos usually get about 800 likes.

In fact, Mr Lim is so popular online that he said he was even recognised by his followers in Paris.

The self-professed shopaholic who owns at least 200 pairs of branded shoes - some of which cost over S$8,000 each - told The New Paper over the phone from California: "I bought all my shoes using my own money.

"My dad probably only bought me one pair. I do buy expensive things, but that's because I am a big advocate of quality and craftsmanship."

Mr Lim's favourite brands include Balmain, Givenchy, Cartier, Christian Louboutin and Sue Gragg jewellery.

He added: "Sometimes, my mum nags me for overspending. But I make my own money and pay for them myself. If I lose everything tomorrow, at least I am happy now."

Currently, he's eyeing a Rolls-Royce Wraith - estimated to cost around US$300,000 (S$380,450) - and has gone for a test drive in the US.

Mr Lim, who comes across as a humorous and confident young man, said: "I set up this account for fun. It's like a daily look into what I wear, and serves as a platform for me to showcase my fashion sense."

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DISTASTEFUL

Others may take being featured on Rich Kids Of Instagram as a badge of honour, but Mr Lim was quick to dissociate himself from it, emphasising that he was not proud to see his photos on the website.

During the interview, he also played down his wealth, and declined to reveal how much he usually spends on a normal shopping trip, or the exact number of Chanel bags he owns.

He said: "I find the blog borderline distasteful as it is about flaunting wealth nonchalantly."

He added: "To me, my life's success isn't about how much you make. It's the difference you make in people's life."

ENTREPRENEUR

Even though Mr Lim hails from a wealthy family in Singapore that runs a billion-dollar business, he said he started doing his own business when he was just 17 years old and made his first million three years later.

He declined to reveal details of his family business as well as the identity of his father, saying that the family prefers to keep a low profile.

Now, he dabbles in stocks, invests in start-ups in Singapore and the US, and is planning to open an ice-cream chain franchise in the Middle East soon.

The entrepreneur admitted that he did receive a five-figure sum from his father to help him kickstart his business initially, but that he managed to repay him within two months.

He is aware that there are people who criticise him for flaunting his wealth online, but he tries not to be affected by it.

He said: "People don't see the 99 per cent of me and the hard work I put into my businesses. I can't please the world, and I can't please everyone. I am not going to apologise for who I am."


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