And Oscar Goes To...

Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the duo behind buzzy label Monse, have returned home. In this exclusive interview, they tell Jacquie Ang about leading two covetable brands and being open to change

- Jacquie Ang

ALTHOUGH IT’S ONLY been six months since they’ve taken the helm, Oscar de la Renta’s new co-creative directors are no strangers to the American fashion house. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia spent a combined 18 years at the company before their departures in February 2015. Kim worked under Oscar himself for 12 years, rising up the ranks to design studio director. Garcia was a senior designer whose duties involved dressing celebrities.

The pair reveal that they had initially left to take a break, and find their own identities outside of the house. Parlaying their experience from working with the legendary Dominican designer, who earned distinction for dressing First Ladies from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, the duo launched Monse just three months later.

Starting from deconstructed men’s shirts, Kim and Garcia created sophisticated pieces that one can throw on and still look like the coolest girl in the room. A hit on the runway and off, their brand of relaxed glamour was quickly embraced by celebs such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Amal Clooney and Selena Gomez.

Rave reviews landed them major stockists and a CFDA Swarovski award nomination in the women swear category last year.