How I Get Dressed: Laura Kim

Inspiration comes naturally to the Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta and Monse.

The way we get dressed every morning is as personal as it gets. There are outfit repeaters, vintage treasure hunters, and even emotional dressers. But while everyone loves a good fashion trend, here at InStyle, we’re interested in the deeper stuff, too: the way jewelry makes us feel, the way a beloved coat can spark joy on a cold day, the way a pair of shoes can pull a whole look together. How I Get Dressed unpacks fashion routines, rituals, and go-tos — straight from the fashion tastemakers we love

Since she’s lived and traveled all over the world, Laura Kim knows how to find inspiration in the most unexpected of places. Born in South Korea and raised in the cowtowns of Canada, Kim has long infused her global background into her work at Oscar de la Renta and Monse, where she currently serves as Creative Director for both NYC-based brands. “I’ve always loved that multinational intersectionality, being able to pull inspiration from Korean dramas, life in Canada, and working in America—it’s such a special combination,” Kim says of her creative process.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Kim can flawlessly execute her myriad creative duties, especially given that she’s been sewing and designing clothes since the age of three. “I got my start in fashion because my entire family worked in the textile business,” Kim says. “Whenever my grandma would babysit, she’d sit with me and open the pages of Vogue sewing patterns. I’d pick out a photo of a dress I liked, and she’d help me sew it.”

With her skills honed at an early age, Kim breezed through early internships in her career before landing at Oscar de la Renta, where she worked under de la Renta himself for years. After a brief hiatus from the brand following the founder’s passing, Kim returned to the helm alongside her Monse co-founder, Fernando Garcia, in 2016. Together, they have created a new, exciting ethos for Oscar de la Renta.

Lately, Kim has expanded her creative reach beyond fashion, too. She’s leaving her mark on the world of interiors by launching her first-ever home collaboration with Crate & Barrel earlier this summer. And her eye for decor has already proved to be a runaway hit. With over 110 pieces, which include everything from marvelously marbled platters, scalloped stoneware, and glossy recycled glassware to velvet throw pillows, the designer’s homeware collection is imbued with her signature thoughtful touch that encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life.

As Kim continues to make waves in both the fashion and furniture industries, we spoke one-on-one with the Creative Director about all things style, home, and inspiration. Ahead is Laura Kim’s How I Get Dressed.

Her Personal Style

“For me, it’s all about the intersection between practical and fashionable. During the day, I want to put my energy into my work, so I dress super comfy all day. If I had a choice I’d just wear leggings all day, but I think as I age, I do love the touch of femininity. You want to look put together and pretty, so I do like that little mix of feminine with masculine for what I wear every day.”

Where She Finds Inspiration

“At Oscar de la Renta, we do a lot of floral motifs, and I have a little garden that really inspires me to see how things grow, the shapes things take, and the color combinations that are created. We’re constantly bombarded with so many images, and so much information, but nature creates things that are actually new to your eyes. So, my inspiration comes a lot from the garden—and it’s not a big garden; it’s a little patch. It’s amazing because it shows that you can really find inspiration in the smallest places. Sometimes, it’s those really special, intimate moments and spaces that are the most inspirational.”

Her Design Approach

“When I start a collection, I look into things I’m most interested in right now and gather tons of images and research around it—that’s how I started with Crate & Barrel. I sent the team different sketches and dyed fabrics and advised them on eco-friendly practices to inform the design. Having an artisanal touch to your designs is really important to me and something I want to make accessible to the masses. Again, my garden is where I find a lot of inspiration, and one of my favorite pieces from the collab is a carrot I took out of my garden and pressed into clay to make a platter, and then I shipped it to the Crate and Barrel office to replicate it. Now, everyone can have their own chic carrot. I’m obsessed!”

How She Shops

“I enjoy buying stuff from artisans in New York and Philadelphia; it helps define the mood of my wardrobe and apartment. When I shop, I want something that lasts a long time. So, even if it’s out of my price range, I try to buy something substantial, meaningful, and of amazing quality because I want to know that I won’t grow out of it.”

How She Plans Her Outfits

“It’s actually really difficult and I should plan it more, but I don’t try things until the minute I have to walk out. There are days when I’ll run around the apartment screaming, “I have nothing to wear!” and my boyfriend’s like all you have is clothes. I identify as an impulse wearer, I’ll just look at my calendar right before I’m about to leave my house. See what I have going on and what outfit actually makes sense for my day.”

Her Go-To Outfit

“I love wearing a slip dress with a sweater over it. I don’t even want to bother with a waistband. A slip dress just floats on your body, and then you can throw a cozy sweater over it.”

Her Favorite Accessory

“Because Oscar and Monse don’t make shoes, I love buying them but mainly funny, weird styles. I love the Loewe shoes: the cracked egg heels, the balloon shoes, and the puffy Minnie Mouse shoes. I’m obsessed with all of them.”

Her Athleisure Obsession

“I buy a ton of workout clothes. If I had a choice, I would live in leggings or bike shorts and a sports bra and come to work…but not many people appreciate that. I usually get them cut because bike shorts are such a weird length—they always hit the middle of your thigh, so I usually cut off like two inches.”

Her Style Advice

“When I’m trying to figure out how to style something, sometimes I’m brave and just do it, and it looks wrong—but you just have to try it. Trying something that doesn’t work opens your eyes to different ideas. I don’t like it when it goes too well with other stuff; I like it when it clashes a little bit. I love it when you have that little friction.”