We Love Monse for Breaking the Dress Code

You remember those “cool kids” in school who were stylish, super cool and everyone loved them? Well, two of fashion’s current “cool kids” are from the new class of New York designers, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia of Monse.

Last season, they held a joint show with Oscar de la Renta, which the duo are also at the helm of. But now, the de la Renta alumni-turned-creative directors opted to present Monse separately.

And we prefer it this way.

This season, Kim and Garcia broke the rules of typical school uniforms and created their own dress code with a show full of Americana pep and school spirit— or would the brand spirit be a more fitting term?

Models dawned collegiate and sport-inspired designs alluding to cheerleading pom-poms, baseball padding, and basketball jerseys. It was a nostalgic moment, to say the least.

A variety of grid-print looks kicked off the show. Tailored blazers were paired with cool distressed jeans and the duo kept to their signature deconstruction of classic shirting. Looks with fringe skirts were teamed with the likes of a knit sweater with contrasting baseball-stitching and basketball jersey-style tank tops.

Speaking of basketball jerseys, a sequined version with Monse written across the chest stole the show (and I want it).

Season after season, Kim and Garcia continue to showcase their knack for updating classic silhouettes with clever detail.

One piece that is certain to fly off the racks is a varsity jacket that was upgraded with snap-fastenings to expose an optional cold-shoulder. Smart cardigans were reinterpreted with asymmetric necklines, and the duo took on the Americana trend with a few looks printed with star motifs.

The show closed with a sparkling strapless navy sequin dress punctuated with white sequin stars; the fringed skirt caught the light exactly as you would imagine.

Kim and Garcia expressed that the message of this season was an ode to America.

“People have asked us what we think about the U.S. right now, or how we feel about New York— and we love it,” says Kim to Vogue. “We chose to be here.”

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Monse this season, its that the label is one of New York’s it-brands for a reason and the duo is here to stay.

Runway photography by Evan Miller, courtesy of Monse
Cover image by Kevin Tachman, courtesy of Monse