The New Wave

Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim are the founders behind the cool-meets-luxe brand, Monse. They are also the co-creative directors of Oscar de la Renta. We get to know the dynamic duo who are using their winning formula to change the face of the Parisian brand as we know it

- Natalie Westernoff

As I sashayed in to meet the co-creative directors of Oscar de la Renta and founders of Monse, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, I was humbled by their serene energy. It’s unlikely that you will meet two people more grateful to be where they are. Starting out as interns for Oscar de la Renta himself, this is every fashion posse’ dream come true. Meeting the duo was every bit what I had anticipated; Laura was shy, wholesome and enthusiastic, whereas Fernando was serious, business-minded yet warm. It was the perfect combination to make magic. And that they are.

Oscar de la Renta has made a clear shift in design and aesthetic. From something that was predominately for the older and more distinguished woman, Laura and Fernando are making Oscar de la Renta the go-to brand for mothers and daughters alike, introducing day dresses, denim and even T-shirts. Despite breathing a more casual air into the brand, they are still staying true to Oscar’s roots, with fairy-tale inspired evening wear – a glove fit for our market, which they both innately understand. “Middle Eastern women really understand how to dress up, they are a symbol to Oscar de la Renta as a brand. We have a wonderful fan base in Dubai.”

Fernando was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, which is actually where Oscar de la Renta is from (few knew the man himself) and as he puts it: “Oscar is a God in the Dominican Republic.” As a graduate in architecture, Fernando was lucky enough to have a family tie to Oscar de la Renta – something he used when he was ready to show off sketches he had been producing for years. “I have been a fashion person since I was a baby.” Oscar immediately offered him an internship, and the rest was pretty much history.