As a child in Seoul, South Korea, Laura learned the basics of sewing, patternmaking, and sketching. She developed a critical eye for detail from her grandmother, a retired textile manufacturer.  When she moved to New York to attend Pratt Institute, her talents were immediately recognized with scholarships from the Counsel of Fashion Designers (CFDA) and The Fashion Group International.

As a fashion student, she fellowshipped at TSE Cashmere, Donna Karan, and Oscar de la Renta. Mr. De la Renta was impressed with her work and offered her a permanent residence as Design Director of ready-to-wear and accessories. In 2015 after working alongside the late Oscar de la Renta for over a decade, Laura and Fernando Garcia founded MONSE. The collections are inspired by menswear and classic tailoring with a deconstructed perspective. Elements like twisted tailoring, cascade hems, and slashed silhouettes are amongst the label’s distinguished design details. Brand offerings include women’s RTW including unisex styles and accessories that can be found at fine retailers around the world. In 2016, Kim and Garcia were appointed Creative Directors of Oscar de la Renta and debuted their first collection for the house in February 2017. They currently oversee creative direction for both MONSE and Oscar de la Renta.