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Monique Lhuillier's latest collection featured in NY Fashion Week

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

February 16, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

 

Monique Lhuillier goes 'moody' and 'sophisticated' in her Fall collection. (Photo from designer's official website)

MANILA, Philippines - Los Angeles-based Filipina designer Monique Lhuillier unveiled her 2011 Fall collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City last Feb. 14.

Describing her new collection as “very dark sensual, [and] sultry” in a report from Reuters, it was marked with the absence of vibrant colors save for red, and it's dominated by black, gray, and cream, as well as some leopard prints. The pieces that ranged from cocktail dresses, red carpet-ready gowns, to chic blouses and pants, bore the distinguishing elements of a Lhuillier design, such as laces, feathers and soft, flowing fabrics.
In her interview, the Cebuana designer explained the concept of her latest set:

“For Fall I wanted it to be moody and very sophisticated, so there's a lot of black in the collection, and long sleeves and linear silhouettes, but then there's lots of lace, so you can see skin through, whether it's in the back or the front or, you know, there's, you'll see skin peeking through.”

She related having worked on her collection for several months. “The fact that we're showing on Valentine's Day is perfect because I have absolutely no color and then I have three pops of this deep scarlet red and so it's perfect,” Lhuillier added.

Her design is described as able to “capture the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure and glamour that have made her renowned in the world of design. Monique’s innate sense of style and understanding of a woman’s desire to look and feel beautiful are prevalent throughout her bridal and ready-to-wear collections.”

Among the Hollywood A-listers that Lhuillier has dressed include Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Connelly. Recent red carpet events also saw Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mandy Moore, Julia Stiles, and Angie Hamon donning a Lhuillier creation.
As for her “kababayan” clients, Lhuillier designed the wedding dress of international singer-actress Lea Salonga, as well as that of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.

Lhuillier studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and broke into the fashion scene in 1996. Apart from clothing, Lhuillier also has collections for tabletops, bed, bath and home, as well as stationary and fine paper.