Fashion People Podcast: “The Oscar Finale”

Host: Lauren Sherman
Guests: Laura Kim & Fernando Garcia, co-founders of Monse and outgoing Co-Creative Directors, Oscar de la Renta
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode marks a pivotal moment as Lauren Sherman sits down with Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the design duo concluding their decade-long tenure as co-creative directors at Oscar de la Renta. The conversation dives deep into their experiences balancing two major brands—Oscar de la Renta and their own, Monse—the evolution of American fashion, the challenges of running an independent label, and the realities behind the glamour. The warmth of the conversation also reveals their personal growth, partnership dynamic, and their calculated leap into focusing fully on Monse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Oscar de la Renta Finale: Setting the Stage

• Lauren welcomes Laura and Fernando, acknowledging the major transition they’re undergoing: “You’re prepping for two collections right now?” [05:38]
• This February will be their last season designing dual collections—Oscar and Monse—a process they describe as “around the clock” and “not going to miss doing two fall shows next year.” [05:51–06:47]
• Both explain the challenge of managing New York Fashion Week’s tight calendar, weather issues, and back-to-back schedules unique to the U.S.

Departure Reflections & Origins at Oscar

• Laura and Fernando recount becoming creative directors after Oscar de la Renta’s passing in 2014, emphasizing the personal significance:

  “He was very sweet. We had a final lunch with him at his place right before it happened. So, yeah, it was very intense.” – Fernando [10:33]

• They reveal aspirations and hesitations after Oscar’s death:

  “We told Oscar before he passed that we were going to leave the company... We want to start our own business.” – Laura [11:47] “Imagine a 27-year-old... I was rightfully scared to start my own brand.” – Fernando [12:36]

• Their transition to co-directorship involved initial uncertainty and resulted in creating their own brand, Monse, while still running Oscar’s house.

Building & Balancing Two Distinct Brands

• On sustaining Oscar’s DNA while modernizing:

  “For Oscar, it was important we carry on his DNA and also not abandon the clients... but we did want to slowly get younger clients.” – Laura [15:08] “It took us like two or three years to really understand how to navigate that DNA with our perspective... I was most definitely scared to try something I know [Oscar] would not have liked.” – Fernando [15:42–16:16]

• Quality as a Differentiator:

  “A lot of brands last 10 years went down in quality, but we actually—our quality now is better than ever because at Oscar, it’s not my money, so it’s easier to fight for more expensive things.” – Laura [16:16]

• On generational appeal and inclusivity at Oscar:

  “Oscar’s one of the brands where a daughter, a mother, and grandmother can shop...” – Laura [16:16]

The Monse Journey: Growth, Identity, and the Power of Focus

• Monse’s concept stems from flipping menswear tropes—particularly shirting—and a focus on what makes the brand unique amidst a “retail apocalypse.” [21:13]

• Lessons in clarity and focus:

  “If you want to dress everyone and you keep expanding... your ideas get diluted.” – Laura [22:46]

• Covid as a catalyst for streamlining:

  “It really helped me and Fernando to focus on who's our client and this is what we need to do... we still were able to sell same amount of clothes.” – Laura [22:46]

• On the impact of celebrity and social media:

  “Monse started when social media started... I don’t know what our trajectory would have been without access to our customers via social media.” – Fernando [26:46] “It doesn’t always turn into sales... but for Monse, whenever someone wears something, there’s definitely more attraction to our website and we do sell more product.” – Laura [27:23]

• Laura’s evolution from “shy designer” to brand avatar and influencer:

  “Five years in... I felt like, OK, I'm actually the customer here and I can relate to what they need.” – Laura [29:24]

Why Leave Oscar Now?

• The need to “reset” and live a more aligned work/life:

  “We needed some room to breathe to sort it out again because we're just not the same person we were a decade ago.” – Laura [31:50] “We have to focus on this thing that we created [Monse], and now it’s at a stage where it needs our full attention.” – Fernando [32:25]

• Bracing for entrepreneurial challenges:

  “If we were to just do one, a lot of people would have chosen Oscar over Monse. It's an easier choice... but honestly, I've been there for 23 years... I need to try something new.” – Laura [36:14] “We are so competitive as people and whenever we get a little bit of a fire under our asses, we deliver tenfold. It’s exciting.” – Fernando [36:56]

• Vision for Monse as a lifestyle brand:

  “We want to build Monse into a lifestyle brand instead of just a fashion brand.” – Laura [37:11]

The Power of Partnership

• On their enduring creative relationship:

  “We were very blessed to have parents that raised us with harsh truth as a love language... We would not ever take offense to anything.” – Fernando [39:15] “I do like Fernando as a person. I want to see him every day... I literally wake up, do my whole breakfast, and I’m like, oh, let’s go see Fernando now.” – Laura [40:14] “Whenever we get a little bit of a fire under our asses, we deliver tenfold.” – Fernando [36:56]

• On the value of honesty and transparency in creative partnerships, reciprocated also with their former CEO, Alex Bolen.

The Evolving Fashion Landscape

• Lauren reflects on how fashion today is less dictated by trends and more about personal expression with help from secondhand markets and accessible resale.
• Laura and Fernando’s story is emblematic of a changing industry—one where brand authenticity, ownership, and adaptability trump old-school security.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A lot of brands... went down in quality, but we actually... our quality now is better than ever... our CEO Alex also believed in being the best at what we’re doing.” – Laura [16:16]
• “It took us like two or three years to really understand how to navigate that DNA with our perspective... I was most definitely like, scared to try something I know [Oscar] would not have liked.” – Fernando [15:42]
• “You have to fight for yourself... We didn’t have the brand name so we had to figure out what is going to work for this brand that we’re creating [Monse].” – Fernando [24:19]
• “We needed some room to breathe to sort it out again because we’re just not the same person we were a decade ago.” – Laura [31:50]
• “Are you not, like, sick of each other?... I’m excited to see Fernando every day.” – Laura [40:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:46–06:47] — End of double collection era, behind-the-scenes schedule challenges
• [10:33–12:36] — Loss of Oscar, career crossroads, & founding Monse
• [15:08–16:16] — Guiding Oscar’s evolution, balancing old & new customers
• [19:01–19:30] — On age vs. taste and customer inclusivity at Oscar
• [21:13–22:46] — The realities of selling clothes as an independent American brand
• [24:19–24:43] — How Monse’s identity was forged by industry adversity
• [26:46–27:23] — How celebrity and social media accelerated Monse’s growth
• [29:24] — Laura becoming the customer and the face of her own brand
• [31:50–32:45] — Why now is the right time to devote themselves to Monse
• [34:58–36:56] — The risks and drive behind forsaking security for independence
• [39:15–41:16] — Their mutual honesty, “harsh truth as a love language,” and genuine personal connection

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a candid and warm-hearted masterclass in the realities—and thrills—of modern fashion leadership. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia open up about legacy, loyalty, and leaping into the unknown with eyes wide open. Their mutual respect and creative rapport are palpable, underscoring how authenticity, adaptation, and partnership can still define success in fashion’s challenging, ever-evolving landscape.

For anyone interested in the dynamics of modern creative direction, brand-building, and what it really takes to thrive independently in American fashion, this episode is essential listening.