Looking at Monse’s fall 2023 collection, it would seem that reports of “quiet luxury’s” fashion takeover have been greatly exaggerated. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia’s latest offering is made to be seen, looked at, and photographed. There’s nothing quiet about it. The designers’ muses include K-pop stars from Aespa and fromis_9, and friends in the short-lived show Bling Empire. They aren’t looking for logos, but they’re not exactly going for beige sweaters and slacks either. These are going out clothes.
The Monse signatures are out in full force this season. Reworked tailoring comes in teensy boleros and pinstriped, partially see-through mini dresses. There are corset tops, naturally, but also corset pants, shorts, and dresses—boning as far as the eye can see. Leather belts and buckles give everything they touch a bit of edge. One of the most compelling and on-brand ensembles is a lipstick red leather skirt suit loaded with hardware. It feels like the spiritual sister of the bubblegum pink cargo-pant and crop top that comes later in the lookbook. For all the slashes and leather and grommets, the effect is still pulled together and polished. One could say, camera ready.
