Over the past year, ELLE DECOR has asked artisans to create unique items—with no price tag—for each issue’s Not for Sale column. Now, in partnership with Christie’s, each of these pieces will be auctioned off to benefit charity.
Artist: Design by Fernando Garcia & Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta; Fabric by de Le Cuona
Title: Liquid Teal Velvet Dress
Year created: 2018
Medium: Cotton-blend liquid velvet fabric
Edition: Unique
Height (inches): 60
Width (inches): 12
Depth (inches): 2
Size: Sample size 0
Laura Kim & Fernando Garcia
Laura Kim was born in Seoul, Korea and began developing her skills as a child, learning
the basics of sewing from her grandmother. She moved to New York to attend Pratt Institute and excelled in the fashion design program, eventually landing an internship at Oscar de la Renta where her impressive work and critical eye led to a permanent position upon graduation. Laura worked closely with Mr. de la Renta as his Design Director, supervising collection development and managing the studio responsible for fabric design, ready-to-wear, knitwear and accessories. Today Laura is a leader in the industry, recognized for her design aesthetic and inimitable talent.
Fernando Garcia was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Drawn to the creative field and fascinated with fashion at an early age, he went on to study architecture at the prestigious Notre Dame. He then found the opportunity to meet Mr. de la Renta to show him a book of his sketches. This led to an internship, honing his craftsmanship skills and ultimately becoming principal designer. During his six years at the brand, Fernando helped to create some of the most iconic evening pieces in the Oscar de la Renta collection.
Laura began her career at Oscar de la Renta in 2003 and worked at the company until 2015. Fernando also began his career at Oscar de la Renta, working at the company from 2009 until 2015 when the pair left to found Monse. Laura and Fernando returned to the house as Creative Directors, debuting their Fall 2017 collection in February 2017.
Bernie de Le Cuona
Though she started her textiles company, de Le Cuona, by elevating humble linen to the far reaches of elegant finery, South African–born Bernie de Le Cuona is clearly just as adept at coaxing untapped beauty out of traditionally glamorous velvet. Her cotton-blend Liquid Teal fabric has the sheen of, as she puts it, “an exotic cat”—a quality that inspired Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, the creative directors of the fashion house Oscar de la Renta, to make this dramatic cape-back strapless gown. At once streamlined and plush, restrained and decadent, their dress glows like a moonstone, becoming more complex with each flicker of its wearer’s movement.