Coronavirus has devastated global economies, fashion being no exception. The industry is facing unprecedented challenges, and with the world around us suffering, and the act of staying at home is everyone’s greatest weapon. This has forced members of the fashion industry, who are accustomed to planning large photoshoots and running ateliers, to adapt to a new way of working from home.

To keep the CFDA community connected from afar, we are speaking with designers to hear how they practice self-quarantine, their thoughts on the future, and how they maintain their sanity during this uncertain time. Below, Laura Kim, co-founder of Monse and co-creative director of Oscar de la Renta, shares her thoughts on life during the age of coronavirus.

On tips for working from home

I plan out the week so each day I have a goal. I make room to take on surprise projects since these days, every day is a surprise.

On staying in touch with her team

Luckily, we are used to working separately. Usually, Fernando and I go back and forth between Oscar de la Renta and Monse offices, so we work with our team on our phone a lot.

On Practicing social distancing

I downloaded this app called ‘House Party’ to see my group of friends — Tina Leung, Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, and Ezra William — together. We had Tina Leung’s birthday party on Zoom, and Tina Craig hosted a karaoke night. I miss going to Phillip’s house for dinner and hearing Prabal and Ezra’s high-pitch laughs in person. I miss hanging out with Fernando. We used to eat breakfast together all the time. Now, I drop off food at his apartment like a food delivery service and leave.

On being in quarantine

Keep yourself busy! Think about things you always wanted to do you couldn’t do, and you could do now. For me, I always wanted to do the zero-waste food practice my mom does. Now, I am finally able to do it. I try to cook something I don’t know every day so I learn how to cook different things. I’m also reading lots of history books I didn’t have time for.

On the future

It’s going to take some time to recover from what we are going through now, but I hope with this opportunity we will reset ourselves in a better position.

On her message for the fashion community

How can we use this opportunity to change when we mark down runway collections? This is our chance!!!!