Oscar de la Renta appoints new creative directors

08 Sep '16

2 min read

Storied fashion house Oscar de la Renta has named its two former employees—Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia—as co-creative directors. Both Kim (34) and Garcia (29) began their careers with Oscar de la Renta. The duo left the fashion house last year to start their own label Monse. Their debut collection for spring/summer 2016 has become an instant hit.

Kim, who most recently served as design director, spent 12 years working for de la Renta while Garcia spent six years, leaving as senior designer. Their return to de la Renta follows the departure of Peter Copping in July this year. Copping, the former Nina Ricci designer, led the company following de la Renta's unexpected death in 2014.

As co-creative directors, Kim and Garcia will oversee all ready-to-wear, accessories, bridal, and children's collections. They will also continue overseeing Monse. The deal includes a partnership between Oscar de la Renta and Monse, in which “Oscar de la Renta will provide operational and logistical support to Monse,” according to media reports.

“We are beyond thrilled to go back to the house where we learned the fundamentals of fashion from Oscar and the business of fashion from Alex (Bolen). Having further learned so much this past year with Monse, we will apply all of those lessons to expand the vision that this amazing house has already established,” Kim and Garcia said in a joint statement.

“For many years, Kim and Garcia worked here directing our design teams. Oscar respected their talent, and their work with him brought tremendous critical acclaim and success to the company. In a short period of time, they have established Monse as a brand with a distinct, original point of view. Our plan is to help Monse fulfill its potential by growing quickly and profitably utilising our operating, financial and logistic systems,” said Oscar de la Renta CEO Alex Bolen. (RKS)

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