Behind two of the best-dressed women at the Democratic National Convention this week, Michelle Obama and Ella Emhoff, were two Asian Americans designers making their mark on the political scene. The former first lady was the talk of the internet with the dark blue, sleeveless suit she wore during her speech on Tuesday night. The outfit was from a brand called MONSE, an New York City-based luxury label founded by two creative directors at Oscar de la Renta: Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia.
Kim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and learned about garments by observing her grandmother, who was a textile manufacturer, according to MONSE’s website. She moved to New York to attend Pratt Institute, and while working there she caught the eye of de la Renta. After Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC, the brand praised her on Instagram .
“Michele Obama embodies the MONSE woman in every way, exuding the strength and confidence that are at the core of our brand. We are honored to dress such an inspiring leader,” the post said. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s daughter, Ella, 25, wore a pale blue and white gown designed and handmade by Joe Ando-Hirsh, 28, a viral TikToker known by many as “the dress guy.
” Ando-Hirsh has designed dresses for other celebrities, like actors Keke Palmer and Dakota Johnson. He documented the process of making Emhoff’s dress on his TikTok page, which has 2.9 million followers.
Leading up to the DNC, he teased who the dress was for, posting ca.