Courtesy Photo
June 25, 2020
UNRAVELLING BEAUTY WITH OSCAR DE LA RENTA’S CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LAURA KIM
UNRAVELLING BEAUTY WITH OSCAR DE LA RENTA’S CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LAURA KIM.
UNRAVELLING BEAUTY WITH OSCAR DE LA RENTA’S CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LAURA KIM.
Courtesy Photo
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
The Co-Creative Director behind Oscar De La Renta is relaxed in terms of style but is on top of her beauty and wellness routines for optimal health.
Cultivating her skills in Seoul, South Korea, Laura Kim learnt the basics behind sewing, pattern making and sketching before making her moves to the Pratt Institute in New York. Her skills were honed and recognised by iconic talents like Donna Karen and mogul Oscar De La Renta. After interning with the late designer, himself, Laura earned a permanent position under his mentorship where she also was introduced and built a strong friendship with now fellow Co-Creative Director, Fernando Garcia. The duo built a name for themselves and 2015 left Oscar De La Renta to start a passion project, Monse.
Courtesy Photo
On their return to Oscar De La Renta as Creative Directors, both Laura and Fernando have expertly placed Monse side by side with ODLR and carved a position within the industry that has nominated them both for a CDFA Swarovski award in the womenswear category. Whilst Laura prioritises ease, masculinity and puts comfort above everything else, the designs are perfectly balanced with Garcia’s vision of femininity, frills and fantasy. Breaking down skin, beauty and Laura’s passions, we look into the mind of Co-Creative Director of Oscar De La Renta and Monse.
Nateisha Scott: Your morning routine?
Laura Kim: I always start my day by washing my face, finishing with a face mask and rolling to stimulate drainage and drain away toxins.
NS: Your evening routine?
LK: In the evening, I tend to focus on more body treatments, so I like to complete my hand and foot massages with legs and arm massages as well. I’m more adventurous with my facial techniques and really enjoy trying new gadgets.
NS: Signature products you can’t live without?
LK: My 111SKIN Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask and Meso Infusion Lip Duo.
Courtesy Photo - Laura Kim
NS: Do you have any wellness or fitness habits that you are obsessed with?
LK: I try my best to eat as clean as possible while cooking with fresh and organic produce whenever I can. As far as fitness, I like to workout for 30 minutes to an hour everyday with each workout often being different than the one before – I like to mix things up.
NS: Your Beauty Icon?
LK: Joanna Czech! She has taught me so much not only about my skin but also about wellbeing. Beauty is so much more than your appearance and it’s great to be reminded of that.
NS: How do you wind down in the evening?
LK: I love to enjoy a glass of red wine and learn new recipes through YouTube videos and Pinterest. Most recently, I’ve learned how to do lymphatic drainage massages which is one of my favourite treats!
NS: How do you wind down in the evening?
LK: I love to enjoy a glass of red wine and learn new recipes through YouTube videos and Pinterest. Most recently, I’ve learned how to do lymphatic drainage massages which is one of my favourite treats!
NS: Your Favourite travel destination?
LK: It would have to be Japan!
NS: Outside of fashion and beauty, what other industries excites you?
LK: I am also very passionate about food and learning new recipes. Especially with my mom.
NS: Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
LK: My mom has always taught and reminded me how important it is to love myself no matter what.
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
The Co-Creative Director behind Oscar De La Renta is relaxed in terms of style but is on top of her beauty and wellness routines for optimal health.
Cultivating her skills in Seoul, South Korea, Laura Kim learnt the basics behind sewing, pattern making and sketching before making her moves to the Pratt Institute in New York. Her skills were honed and recognised by iconic talents like Donna Karen and mogul Oscar De La Renta. After interning with the late designer, himself, Laura earned a permanent position under his mentorship where she also was introduced and built a strong friendship with now fellow Co-Creative Director, Fernando Garcia. The duo built a name for themselves and 2015 left Oscar De La Renta to start a passion project, Monse.
Courtesy Photo
On their return to Oscar De La Renta as Creative Directors, both Laura and Fernando have expertly placed Monse side by side with ODLR and carved a position within the industry that has nominated them both for a CDFA Swarovski award in the womenswear category. Whilst Laura prioritises ease, masculinity and puts comfort above everything else, the designs are perfectly balanced with Garcia’s vision of femininity, frills and fantasy. Breaking down skin, beauty and Laura’s passions, we look into the mind of Co-Creative Director of Oscar De La Renta and Monse.
Nateisha Scott: Your morning routine?
Laura Kim: I always start my day by washing my face, finishing with a face mask and rolling to stimulate drainage and drain away toxins.
NS: Your evening routine?
LK: In the evening, I tend to focus on more body treatments, so I like to complete my hand and foot massages with legs and arm massages as well. I’m more adventurous with my facial techniques and really enjoy trying new gadgets.
NS: Signature products you can’t live without?
LK: My 111SKIN Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask and Meso Infusion Lip Duo.
Courtesy Photo - Laura Kim
NS: Do you have any wellness or fitness habits that you are obsessed with?
LK: I try my best to eat as clean as possible while cooking with fresh and organic produce whenever I can. As far as fitness, I like to workout for 30 minutes to an hour everyday with each workout often being different than the one before – I like to mix things up.
NS: Your Beauty Icon?
LK: Joanna Czech! She has taught me so much not only about my skin but also about wellbeing. Beauty is so much more than your appearance and it’s great to be reminded of that.
NS: How do you wind down in the evening?
LK: I love to enjoy a glass of red wine and learn new recipes through YouTube videos and Pinterest. Most recently, I’ve learned how to do lymphatic drainage massages which is one of my favourite treats!
NS: How do you wind down in the evening?
LK: I love to enjoy a glass of red wine and learn new recipes through YouTube videos and Pinterest. Most recently, I’ve learned how to do lymphatic drainage massages which is one of my favourite treats!
NS: Your Favourite travel destination?
LK: It would have to be Japan!
NS: Outside of fashion and beauty, what other industries excites you?
LK: I am also very passionate about food and learning new recipes. Especially with my mom.
NS: Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
LK: My mom has always taught and reminded me how important it is to love myself no matter what.
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.