Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim forged an instant connection the minute they crossed paths on the design team at Oscar de la Renta.
Born in Korea and raised in Canada, Kim grew up aspiring to move to New York to study fashion design. Her parents, both former textile manufacturers, trained her with the necessary tools of the trade from a young age. “Essentially, I’ve been working in fashion my entire life. It’s in my blood,” Kim explained. After graduating from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Fashion Design, she landed at Oscar de la Renta.
Meanwhile, Dominican-born Garcia admitted he “fell into fashion and design.” Naturally drawn towards creative fields, he was initially attracted to film, an interest that evolved into a fascination with red carpet glamour. Garcia had the chance to meet with Mr. de la Renta, a fellow Dominican. After presenting his sketches to the designer – “doodles” is how Garcia described them – he landed an internship at the company.
After eight years of working together, Kim and Garcia inevitably developed a strong creative bond, which eventually led them to launch Monse.
“I always wanted to have my own brand, and when I first met Fernando, I knew we were going to work really well together,” said Kim, adding they made the “perfect combo.” “I tend to be very balanced and tough, whereas Fernando goes for more of the drama and romance.”
Monse quickly garnered critical acclaim for its easy elegance and youthful approach to glamour.
“We wanted to create a brand that wasn’t extremist; not too feminine or too masculine,” Garcia said.. “The market needed more clothes that made the girl look like it took five minutes to get ready, which is usually the most attractive girl in the room. We didn’t think it was going to be like Oscar, and we didn’t want it to be.”
Having said that, the duo will always remember the important lessons Mr. de la Renta gave them for their journey.
“Two of the most important things we learned from Oscar were to listen and to have fun,” Garcia said. “Putting in time at a major company also gave us a serious advantage when launching Monse during those years.”
“I always remember Oscar wanting the newest thing. He was the one pushing us to see the newest, youngest ideas and materials,” Kim added. “He made me enjoy working. He showed me that there could be joy in the office, and to enjoy other people’s company, rather than just work nine-to-five.”
Two years after launching Monse, the designers were named Co-Creative Directors at Oscar de la Renta.
They since took home the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent at last year’s CFDA Fashion Awards for Monse, which keeps going from strength to strength. Garcia and Kim understand that you can never move forward without looking back, and always need to remember the people who helped them in their journey.
“It’s been such an incredible and unexpected ride with both brands, and we are excited to continue and evolve and find new ways to be inspired,” Kim said. “We feel so fortunate to have worked with so many amazingly talented people along the way, and hope that continues as well.”
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