Fernando J. Garcia: From Notre Dame to New York Unraveling Threads of a Designer's Journey | EP7

Fernando J. Garcia: From Notre Dame to New York Unraveling Threads of a Designer's Journey | EP7

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol while still loving the social buzz? This chat on **Mocktails Or Messy** brings together fashion, friendship, and a very real talk on booze with designer Fernando J. Garcia. Fernando, founder of Monse and co-creative director at Oscar de la Renta, shares how a boyhood split between the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Christmas trips to New York shaped his dream of living in the city.

He studied architecture at Notre Dame, yet admits, "I actually always wanted to be in fashion. I just didn't have the guts to do it" – until an internship at Oscar de la Renta kick-started his career.

You’ll hear him describe the chaos and thrill of fashion week, the pressure of creating collections that excite both design teams and CEOs, and the creative partnership with Laura that he compares to a relationship: "Our sex life is our work." He talks about key milestones, like the jewellery-themed collection for Oscar and dressing Anna Wintour for the Met Gala, as moments that proved he could "do this" for real. Alcohol and mocktails come up in a refreshingly honest way.

Fernando explains how growing up with "non-American parents" meant alcohol was never forbidden or glamorised, which changed how he saw drinking later at college and in New York. He praises the health-conscious LA lifestyle and says there’s "nothing that can be replaced with feeling really fresh," while warning that "when you're sad, don't let alcohol run in." There’s also plenty of life advice: dress for your individuality, stop apologising for what you’re good at, and say your fears out loud.

As he puts it, "As soon as you verbalize it and scream it, it becomes a little smaller." If you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol and ambition, could Fernando’s story nudge you towards your own version of balance?