“I’m drawn to things that are visually stimulating; I prefer to let images speak for themselves,” says Monse and Oscar de la Renta co–creative director Laura Kim, who’s taken her vision to the home space with a collection for Crate & Barrel. The line of artful wares is inspired by the natural world and includes standouts like a mossy green marble scalloped trivet, a carrot flower candle, and a wooden “papillon” dining table etched with inlays reminiscent of a butterfly’s wings.
Kim wanted to reflect her own vibrant reality when entering this new market, a sentiment that mirrors how she approaches fashion design. “It’s all about understanding your team and the manufacturing capabilities, and leading them towards your vision,” she says.
This astuteness is exactly what led the creative on the powerful path culminating in this new venture. Born in South Korea and raised in Canada, she matriculated at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn as a fashion student, where a string of internships led her to Oscar de la Renta. She worked increasingly closely with de la Renta until his death in 2014, soon after which she and her colleague Fernando Garcia stepped away from the brand to forge their own legacy with Monse. The two later accepted an offer to come back to the storied house as co–creative directors, but Monse was not to be left behind. Now, Kim is keen to expand her creative impact in the world.
With a fervor for the beautiful, the fresh, and the homegrown that can be gleaned from a glance at her Instagram page, the culinary arts have become a central part of Kim’s identity, so creating this collection felt organic. “I wanted to share my passion for cooking through products that people could use in their daily lives,” she says.
The expansive collection provides everything you need for a romantic dinner party, from food prep to furniture and decor, made complete with “great company, fine wine, delicious food, and desserts,” she says. For Kim, a playlist is the final touch for the perfect soiree.
Here, from a body moisturizer packed with botanicals to an evening bag embellished with three-dimensional flowers, delight in other wild things that will be on Kim’s rotation all summer long.
Style File
EVENING SHOE: Amina Muaddi.
STATEMENT BAG: Oscar de la Renta.
EYEWEAR: Gentle Monster.
WRIST CANDY: Bulgari.
CLOSET TREASURE: A vintage Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.
On Beauty
FACE MASK: 111Skin.
SIGNATURE LIP: MAC MACximal lipstick.
BODY CARE: U Beauty.
At Home
RECENT ADDITION: D-Haene Studio by Jane Yang-D’Haene moon jar.
ON THE WALL: Ethan Cook.
THE UNEXPECTED: A notepad that looks like real butter on a Christofle butter tray.
SEATING: Atra.
INDOOR PLANTERS: Vintage olive jars.
GROWING IN THE GARDEN: Herbs, edible flowers, shiso leaves, zucchini, tomatoes, and passion fruit flowers.
ALFRESCO TABLEWARE: My new collection with Crate & Barrel.
For Pleasure
READING: The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar.
WATCHING: K-dramas.
DOING: Anything and everything.
LISTENING TO: Whatever my team is obsessing over.
INSPIRED BY: My agent, Chloe, who appreciates everything in life. She helps me to remember to do the same—kind of makes you invincible when anything tough comes along. Also, my friends being so vulnerable and open about anything amongst us. You realize how important that is to being grounded.
The Menu
MORNING BEVERAGE: Lemon Fiji water and beet ginger juice.
COMFORT FOOD: Pho or Shin Ramyun instant noodles.
INDULGENT SNACK: Strawberry Pocky.
REVOLVING DINNER RESERVATION: Atomix.
HOME-COOKED SPECIALTY: Seed crackers, steamed fish, and bitter green salad. On rare days, we make kimchi pancakes or fried chicken.