Monique Lhuillier – Simple, Sound, Stunning

Often when a designer’s name, and more to the point a woman designer’s name, is made in bridalwear, the dear promise that was respectfully made between artist and subject is carried on at ready to wear and kept fast: I will not let you down, I will never let you look a fool, I know that today is your day, I know one picture lasts a lifetime. It’s therefore no wonder then that Monique Lhuillier has triumphed at the particular business of red carpet glamour. She understands what it means to dress the woman in focus. With all eyes and cameras pointed at her, Lhuillier’s woman does not “…want to take a risk at such an important time. That’s why simple silhouettes are best. Women are more comfortable taking a chance on color or treatment.” This wise formula is in play on her Fall 2013 runway, and will work wonders at award shows, film openings, charity balls, and any gala event where a woman must make being on display look gracefully easy.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by udor

Often when a designer’s name, and more to the point a woman designer’s name, is made in bridalwear, the dear promise that was respectfully made between artist and subject is carried on at ready to wear and kept fast: I will not let you down, I will never let you look a fool, I know that today is your day, I know one picture lasts a lifetime. It’s therefore no wonder then that Monique Lhuillier has triumphed at the particular business of red carpet glamour. She understands what it means to dress the woman in focus. With all eyes and cameras pointed at her, Lhuillier’s woman does not “…want to take a risk at such an important time. That’s why simple silhouettes are best. Women are more comfortable taking a chance on color or treatment.” This wise formula is in play on her Fall 2013 runway, and will work wonders at award shows, film openings, charity balls, and any gala event where a woman must make being on display look gracefully easy. Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Simple, Sound, Stunning”

Monique Lhuillier – Where Did You Get Those Prints?!

The runway show for Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2013 collection opened with tight and sexy slick cuts using prints that looked like snakeskin from a distance, but turned out to be elegantly arranged symmetrical wave, wing, and swirl patterns when the looks came closer. The hem of the first long dress danced freely, animated by the model’s footfalls to project an unencumbered feeling. The next one had more of a lightly sashaying silky glide. Again and again the long dresses just flowed down the bodies of the models, like second skins. Ms. Lhuillier has a command of fabric like a master puppeteer. A particular black lace number was just *slink slink slink* all the way out to the end of the runway and back. So sexy.

story by Charles Beckwith
photos by udor

The runway show for Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2013 collection opened with tight and sexy slick cuts using prints that looked like snakeskin from a distance, but turned out to be elegantly arranged symmetrical wave, wing, and swirl patterns when the looks came closer. The hem of the first long dress danced freely, animated by the model’s footfalls to project an unencumbered feeling. The next one had more of a lightly sashaying silky glide. Again and again the long dresses just flowed down the bodies of the models, like second skins. Ms. Lhuillier has a command of fabric like a master puppeteer. A particular black lace number was just *slink slink slink* all the way out to the end of the runway and back. So sexy. Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Where Did You Get Those Prints?!”

Monique Lhuillier – Fall 2012 – Noir Now

After Monique Lhuillier’s radical foray into slinky urban goddesses with her Spring 2012 collection, her very pretty and demure Pre-Fall collection left me wondering if she was searching for some middle ground of artistic expression. Her Fall 2012 collection left no doubt that she’s not searching for anything, she’s showing that she can do both styles with ease and brilliance.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero
web editor Rachel Reneé

After Monique Lhuillier’s radical foray into slinky urban goddesses with her Spring 2012 collection, her very pretty and demure Pre-Fall collection left me wondering if she was searching for some middle ground of artistic expression. Her Fall 2012 collection left no doubt that she’s not searching for anything, she’s showing that she can do both styles with ease and brilliance.

Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Fall 2012 – Noir Now”

Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2012 Review – Making Her Move

There are runway shows in fashion that turn into rare and historic moments in the life of a house or designer. An expectation of what you are about to see at any given show is created by past collections and market reaction. If a designer builds a growing business on a particular signature style over many seasons then you can reasonably expect that, although there will be refinement and occasional experiments, you will get season from season mostly what you have come to know. All rational and reasonable and perfectly proper. But… designers are artists, and artists can revolt against themselves and expectations, exploding suddenly in a bold new direction…

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero
editing assistant Sierra Baskind

There are runway shows in fashion that turn into rare and historic moments in the life of a house or designer. An expectation of what you are about to see at any given show is created by past collections and market reaction. If a designer builds a growing business on a particular signature style over many seasons then you can reasonably expect that, although there will be refinement and occasional experiments, you will get season from season mostly what you have come to know. All rational and reasonable and perfectly proper. But… designers are artists, and artists can revolt against themselves and expectations, exploding suddenly in a bold new direction. Monique Lhuillier did just that with her unrestrained new Spring Summer 2012 collection. In a radical reinvention, the looks that strutted down the runway were dynamic, sexy, and possessed a swagger not previously seen in her demure, elegant, and floral works of the past. Her talent, creativity and intricacy were not replaced, rather they were unleashed in this brave new expression. Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2012 Review – Making Her Move”

Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 Bridal

The runway at Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2011 bridal collection show was framed by white branches that referenced a grove of birch or sycamore trees. A fitting setting, displaying a deep understanding of the mythology of woods. Those patches of pillars of white that shine out in a forest have long been believed to be home to magic and spirits unseen.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Sandy Ramirez

The runway at Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2011 bridal collection show was framed by white branches that referenced a grove of birch or sycamore trees. A fitting setting, displaying a deep understanding of the mythology of woods. Those patches of pillars of white that shine out in a forest have long been believed to be home to magic and spirits unseen. The 27 looks that shone out on the path that emerged from that thicket of pale wood were perfect for the marriage of dryads or sprites. Lhuillier’s looks ranged from cocktail to classic train, but all of the dresses maintained the air of fantasy that hung around the room. One of the many brilliant things about her as a designer is a talent at creating a delicateness in some of her garments that borders on fragility. The impression of fantastical softness is so strong that it makes the wearer seem dreamlike or almost ethereal. This is spot on for wedding gowns. in which many women want to appear to have descended from the heavens or walked out of a mythical realm. And, what man doesn’t want to marry a goddess? Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 Bridal”

Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 – New York

Fundamentally, artists are artists because they see life differently. Monique Lhuillier is one of the great fashion artists working in America today and Ms. Lhuillier most assuredly must see this life differently than most.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Freda Henry

Imagination is one of the most indispensable qualities an artist can have. Unbounded talent will turn out stale copies of others’ work without imagination. Great artists always have great imaginations, and this vital resource affects them in two critical ways. The obvious is that they visualize things that nobody else does, but less understood is that their imagination, almost as if by sheer mass, shifts their perspective. Fundamentally, artists are artists because they see life differently. Monique Lhuillier is one of the great fashion artists working in America today and Ms. Lhuillier most assuredly must see this life differently than most. After recovering my breath from the beautiful breeze that was her Spring 2011 collection, I have but one question; can she teach me to see the world as she does? Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 – New York”

Monique Lhuillier Spring-Summer 2010 Collection

Buyers and press were greeted for the presentation of the Monique Lhuillier spring-summer 2010 collection inside the famed Christie’s auction house with champagne and decidedly upbeat music. The garments on display were a mix of long and short cocktail dresses, worn by tall models in charming panama hats. The looks were inspired, Lhuillier says, by “the intricate draping of the Masai Warriors.”

story by Kate Young
photos by Freda Henry

Buyers and press were greeted for the presentation of designer-with-child Monique Lhuillier’s spring-summer 2010 collection inside the famed Christie’s auction house with abundant champagne and decidedly upbeat music. The garments on display were a mix of long and short cocktail dresses, worn by tall models in charming panama hats. The looks were inspired, Lhuillier says, by “the intricate draping of the Masai Warriors.” Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier Spring-Summer 2010 Collection”