Oscar de la Renta Blooms at the New York Botanical Garden: A Preview of the Pre-Spring 2025 Collection Featuring Light-Catching Nails

The hustle and bustle of New York City intersected with the serene beauty of nature on June 10th, 2024, as Oscar de la Renta unveiled its Pre-Spring 2025 collection.

Marking a momentous occasion, this was Co-Creative Directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia's first runway show since 2020. Held amidst the lush greenery of the iconic New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the event was a multi-sensory experience that celebrated the brand's enduring love for two key muses: the vibrant energy of New York City and the timeless elegance of nature.

Returning to work on this show was a true delight. It brought back fond memories of collaborating with their team years ago, during Mr. De la Renta's time. The excitement of being involved again was palpable.

At the test, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with stylist Delphine Danhier, whom I'd previously collaborated with on a Vogue shoot, and I also met creative director Laura Kim, whose name I'd frequently encountered on Instagram. They both gravitated towards a chrome-like, metallic rose for the nails, and I presented them with a few options. Ultimately, they selected JINsoon Spiffy (rose gold) and Nova (gold shimmer).

Initially, the concept was to use Nova for darker skin tones and Spiffy for lighter tones. However, on set, they opted to coordinate the polish with the style and color of each outfit. Delphine's meticulous attention to detail was evident as she documented the specific color used on each model. They even decided to extend the gold theme to the toes with a coat of JINsoon Nova.

Laura Kim then introduced me to the collection, explaining their collaboration with the NY Botanical Garden. The collection itself was a captivating display of orchid motifs incorporated into prints, shapes, and even the silhouettes of the garments. It also drew inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, resulting in a collection that was both intricately detailed and brimming with creativity.

The work area at the Botanical Garden was an absolute delight. While it was a busy day, the beautiful weather with a clear sky and the vibrant blooms surrounding the conservatory pond created a truly idyllic work environment. The energy was high as Team JINsoon tackled manicures and pedicures for 50 models, ensuring everyone was prepped for the runway. The rehearsal itself was a treat, allowing me to enjoy the picturesque conservatory pond amidst the blooming flowers and lily pads.

Every element of the collection was a delight to behold. Rosehip, lapis, and butter yellow hues provided pops of color that enlivened the grounding neutral tones. Drop-shoulder silhouettes and relaxed tailoring offered a liberated sophistication, elevating even daywear. Orchid flowers were a recurring motif, manifested in a multitude of techniques. The collection opened with the hero ballet slipper orchid print, followed by stunning hand-threaded guipure lace and the brand's newest technique: orchid-printed gold metal organza.

Complementing the garments, the models' beauty look, titled "Rose Petal Skin," was a collaboration between Oscar de la Renta's Creative Directors, lead makeup artist Hung Vanngo, and Rare Beauty. The look featured bronzed skin with a radiant blush and a shimmery serum. Hair was styled by renowned hairstylist Ruben Colon with R&Co Bleu products, with options ranging from effortlessly tousled to slicked-back styles.

And of course, the model's nails played a vital role in completing the look. The JINsoon team, led by Jin Soon Choi, meticulously applied a perfect pairing of metallic rose gold, JINsoon Spiffy, and shimmery gold, JINsoon Nova, polishes. These hues echoed the collection's color palette and beautifully complemented the "Rose Petal Skin" makeup look, creating a cohesive and mesmerizing aesthetic that embodied the essence of the JINsoon brand. As the models walked through the conservatory garden on that sunny day, their nails and toenails caught the light, creating a stunning, luminous effect.

Credits:

Location @nybg

Creative Directors Laura Kim / Fernando Garcia

Styling by @delphinedanhier

Makeup by @rarebeauty led by @hungvanngo

Hair by @randcobleu led by @hairbyrubencolon

Nails by @jinsoon led by @jinsoonchoi

Shoes by @jimmychoo