Laura Kim and Fernando García have been thinking a lot about aliens lately. Honestly, who hasn't?
“I feel them coming,” Kim said backstage before the co-creative director's ultra-fun Monse show, inspired by “UFOs, CEOs and OOO.”
AI has also been in the brain. For the first time, the duo used technology as a tool to drive their initial concept.
“What would Monse's world be like on an alien earth?” Garcia said of the message. The result was a surreal-inspired floral that looked like an alien eye splashed across a satin shirt, a statement chunky turtleneck, and a sheer dress.
“I think it's a really wonderful starting point. Here we make four collections per brand and that can generate an idea,” he added about his busy schedules with Monse and Oscar de la Renta. Recently, they have been merging their design worlds while strongly differentiating the interpretations of both lines. Beyond the funky florals, Garcia's “rebellious” approach to fall's harsher embroideries (a sheer shirt with layered chains or bondage leather tops with Swarovski crystals) and her playful interpretations of tapestries certainly made the case for the idea. .
Also coming full circle and embracing those who came up with them in the industry, the duo tapped Kimora Lee Simmons' daughter Aoki to walk in the show, with the soundtrack created by Tina Craig's son, musician Collin Craig “Star Child.”
“It's got to be weird if it's Monse,” Garcia said, noting that their shared love of film inspired Monse's twisted 1950s sci-fi movie poster prints, which looked great on layered poplin shirts. Underneath utilitarian tailoring, a bold knit garment. twinset and a vibrant yellow bias slip.
“In addition to Monse's usual deconstruction DNA, Laura had a very good idea of mixing tapestry, which is a traditional technique, with a new concept, which is extraterrestrial landing,” García continued. “So the juxtaposition of the masculine and the feminine, the modern and the traditional is still represented.”
Strange? In the best way. Usable? Absolutely.
Those tapestry styles (minidresses and corsets with daring leather straps or jacket and miniskirt) were truly a delight, with the “shock of traditional” extending to Monse's well-known deconstructed suits, with flaps around the waist of coats. and blazers, buckles. straps (also seen in a 100 percent cotton indigo mini denim made in partnership with Panasonic and the nonprofit Around the World in 80 Fabrics) and cut silhouettes with youthful appeal.
“It's kind of a military environment to be protected from aliens,” Kim said.
“It is protecting itself from the invasion of AI,” García added.
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