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Oscar de la Renta names new creative directors

By Danielle Wightman-Stone

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Oscar de la Renta has named two former employees, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, the design duo behind label Monse, as co-creative directors of the house.

They succeed Peter Copping, who left Oscar de la Renta in July after only two years in the job, citing “personal circumstances”. Copping succeeded de la Renta after his death in 2014.

There had been many rumours that former Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz could be heading to the American fashion house, however, it seems that the label has decided to opt for familiar faces in Garcia and Kim.

The design duo previously worked under Oscar de la Renta, Kim worked at the label from 2003 and left as design director, while Garcia joined in 2009 and left as a senior designer. They both left in 2015 and founded their own label Monse, and their first collection for spring/summer 2016 received critical and retail acclaim, and has already been spotted on celebrities including Jessica Chastain and Margo Robbie.

“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,” said Kim and Garcia in a statement. “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.”

Monse founders Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim return to Oscar de la Renta

Garcia and Kim’s first collection for Oscar de la Renta will be for autumn/winter 2017. The next spring/summer 2017 collection has been designed by a team and will be shown during New York Fashion Week on September 12.

Oscar de la Renta chief executive Alex Bolen said: "For many years, Laura and Fernando worked here directing our design teams. Oscar respected their talent, and their work with him brought tremendous critical acclaim and success to the company.”

Garcia and Kim will continue to design Monse collections and will divide their time between the two brands, and will oversee ready-to-wear, accessories, bridal and children’s collections at Oscar de la Renta.

Bolen added: “In a short period of time, Laura and Fernando have established Monse as a brand with a distinct, original point of view. Our plan is to help Monse fulfil its potential by growing quickly and profitably utilising our operating, financial and logistic systems.”

A photo posted by MONSE (@monsemaison) on

Image: Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia/Monse Facebook page

Fernando Garcia
Laura Kim
Oscar De La Renta