Visitors to most downtown-Manhattan designer boutiques nowadays are immediately met by some figure at the doorway: a security guard, a greeter, a doorperson to size up the incoming crowd and keep capacity to a V.I.P.-feeling minimum. At Monse, on a quiet corner of New York’s Lower East Side, guests are often greeted by King, an ivory goldendoodle owned by Monse’s co-founder Laura Kim, who watches the passersby from his perch beside the door.
The location, which additionally serves as Monse’s offices and showroom (in the back) and atelier (downstairs), also happens to be Kim’s home (upstairs via elevator) and is mere minutes away from the residence of her co-founder and design partner, Fernando Garcia. Fifteen Rivington Street isn’t just a store, it’s home base for the 11-year-old brand. “I don’t want to leave this block,” Kim said, laughing. She and Garcia were reviewing samples for their spring collection, which they’ll present during New York Fashion Week.