Kim was a vice president at Herrera when she was offered the role of creative director at the label by CEO Francois Kress, Page Six reports. Kim turned down the role, reportedly on the grounds that Herrera herself was not aware that she had been offered the position, meaning that Kim would not have complete creative control. Claims made by Kim's lawyer that the founding designer was being "transitioned out" of her role at Herrera by Cress have not yet been addressed by the company.
Kim was then offered the De la Renta top job - or rather half of it, as co-creative director alongside her Monse co-founder Fernando Garcia - in September, following the sudden departure of the label's English-born helmer Peter Copping in July. The role was a return to the label for Kim, who previously worked at the brand for 12 years, before leaving in January for Herrera.
Ironically, considering the antagonistic nature of such a personal case, the court papers contained much praise for Kim, whom the suit called "a unique employee". It asserted that she is "very adept at creating designs that are what commercial clients are interested in stocking in their stores" and revealed that her 2016 resort collection for Carolina Herrera was the company’s “most commercially successful ever in its 35-year history" - albeit as evidence of why her alleged breach of contract is such a serious matter.
Although Kim's lawyers argue that the non-compete clause is unenforceable, reasoning that she was pushed out of the company, it still may have serious ramifications. If the lawsuit is successful, Kim will be barred from beginning her role at De la Renta until April 2017, leaving the company a key designer down as it prepares to show its autumn/winter 2017 offering in February - which was set to be the design duo's debut.
Kim was then offered the De la Renta top job - or rather half of it, as co-creative director alongside her Monse co-founder Fernando Garcia - in September, following the sudden departure of the label's English-born helmer Peter Copping in July. The role was a return to the label for Kim, who previously worked at the brand for 12 years, before leaving in January for Herrera.
Ironically, considering the antagonistic nature of such a personal case, the court papers contained much praise for Kim, whom the suit called "a unique employee". It asserted that she is "very adept at creating designs that are what commercial clients are interested in stocking in their stores" and revealed that her 2016 resort collection for Carolina Herrera was the company’s “most commercially successful ever in its 35-year history" - albeit as evidence of why her alleged breach of contract is such a serious matter.
Although Kim's lawyers argue that the non-compete clause is unenforceable, reasoning that she was pushed out of the company, it still may have serious ramifications. If the lawsuit is successful, Kim will be barred from beginning her role at De la Renta until April 2017, leaving the company a key designer down as it prepares to show its autumn/winter 2017 offering in February - which was set to be the design duo's debut.
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