Monique Lhuillier Valentines day must haves

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Monique Lhuillier will be launching her new XO collection line of diamonds set in white gold and her “My Favorite Things” home collection with Waterford.  So if you are looking for the perfect gift to give your bride on  your wedding day (besides your heart, of course) may these inspire you.

Monique Lhuillier Blue Sapphire and Diamond Geometric Pendant  Price: $950

Monique Lhuillier Blue Sapphire and Diamond Geometric Drop Earrings  Price: $1,650

Monique Lhuillier Double Halo Earrings  Price: $1,975

Monique Lhuillier Diamond XO Necklace  Price: $1,350

Monique Lhuillier Diamond XO Bracelet  Price: $10,700

With any of these…someone will be a very happy Valentine Bride.

NYFW: Monique Lhuillier 2013 Couture collection

Monique Lhuillier continues to be a fashion powerhouse. After a well received Spring Collection, Bridal Market, the opening of her New York flagship store, shoe collection and launching a fine jewelry line, Monique has once again created a sexy and stunning 2013 couture collection. There simply is no stopping her.

Fall 2013 is inspired by opulence and drama.  This season plays off the movement of undulating lines, art deco motifs and intensely rich jewel tones such as deep malachite green, oxblood and amethyst.

For day, soft snow-like whites begin the story in three dimensional cable knits and move to abstract prints in burnished golden brocades.  Silhouettes range from sleekly tailored dresses and slim-cut trousers to ample color-blocked furs. Night is all about the dramatic.  Lace cigarette pants are shown with structured tulle overlay or a beaded duster and gowns have been shortened for a modern interpretation of evening.

This season, Lhuillier found inspiration in a piece of malachite. The gemstone’s deep green striations appeared at the end of the runway as the show opened with a series of winter white looks. Lhuillier said, “It’s kind of like stepping into heaven a little bit.”

A new length for Lhuillier, are gowns ending just above the ankle, a hemline the designer said “feels newer” (it’s also an ideal way to showcase her shoe collection).

The shoe collection (which is in it’s second season) features sleek geometric cut outs in suede leather crushed velvet and satin.  Signature lace is worked into a reinterpretation of the bootie. With many available in white, there will be well-heeled brides walking down the aisle in these.

Fabrics for Fall 2013: Knit, Crepe, fur, silk georgette, ostrich feathers, Sequin, tweed, deco-embroidered tulle and lace

Colors for Fall 2013: Bone, White, Malachite, Black, Copper, Gold, Red, Emerald, Garnet, Amarath, Pewter and Red

Monique Lhuillier NYC Flagship salon

Spanning 3000 square feet over two floors, the boutique offers carefully arranged intimate rooms and nooks housing  Monique Lhuillier’s entire ready-to-wear, bridal and accessory collections, allowing each enclave to show the scale and charm of the original residence.

The ground floor will display the Monique Lhuillier ready-to-wear and accessories collections, while an elegant and intimate bridal salon has been created on the second floor. There are six luxuriously furnished fitting suites throughout the boutique.

The space had formerly been subdivided into two separate stores and a private residence. Working with her architects  they slowly restored the former grandeur of the old home. The earlier retail space and gallery had dropped ceilings, which concealed parlors and halls that stretched the length of the townhouse. Taking cues from the original style of elegant living, an open interior staircase was inserted, framed by 22-foot walls.

At Monique Lhuillier New York, you will find a chic and sophisticated environment created by Interior Designer Jennie Abbott. The welcoming and historical architecture is combined with luxurious fabrics, furnishing and art. The space is enveloped by richly appointed grey suede walls and jewel-box vitrines and is highlighted by Monique Lhuillier Waterford chandeliers. Crafted in Ireland, each fixture features tiers of multi-faceted crystal baguettes, mimicking the layers of fabric and delicate bead-work of Monique’s signature gowns.

The furnishings and art were all carefully chosen to add a striking and intriguing environment as the client experiences all of the beautiful designs the store has to offer. Unique furnishings include a custom bent chrome desk wrapped in a textural lizard embossed textile, as well as chairs from the 1960’s and 70’s that are covered in sumptuous grey velvet from London and textured linen from New Zealand. As you move through the space, you will see an aubergine metal pouf by Herve Van Der Straeten, a handsome bronze wall sculpture by Brutalist Daniel Gluck, as well as a large faceted Slopes mirror by Modernist Neal Small. Iridescent paintings by Nancy Lorenz and custom mirrors and tables add just a hint of sparkle, while the two commissioned pieces by New York sculptor Silas Seandel are truly one-of-a-kind. The hand-forged bronze “Ribbon” table has been crafted with the care and detail of an exquisite piece of jewelry. His organic hammered stainless steel cabinet, made especially for the bridal salon, is metalwork at its finest.

“The New York store marks an exciting new phase in the growth and development of Monique Lhuillier as a global luxury lifestyle brand.  It is a dream come true for Monique to have a significant retail footprint in New York,” said Tom Bugbee, CEO.

Welcome to New York Monique, it’s nice to have you where you belong.

NYFW: Monique Lhuillier spring 2013 inspired by reflective aquatic movement

Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2013 is inspired by water and life of the sea.  Birds, brightly colored fish, glowing sunlight on water and the luminescence of moonlit waves.

Daytime silhouettes in digital prints of bold crane, fish ad abstract koi.  Contoured peplum tops paired with sleek pants and dresses with built in peplum shapes to define the waist.  This is one of the many things that Monique Lhuillier is the master of.  Her new cocoon like coats and jackets finish off the perfect springtime look.

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Evening is all about fluidity and movement, almost mermaid-like.  Shimmering gold, sea glass beading in silhouettes close to the body showing lots of skin to create a very sensual woman for spring.

While everything was very Monique, her new shoe collection was an additional highlight to her collection.

The only disappointment was none of the dresses in this collection hinted what she would have in store for bridal 2013.  Guess, that means, we just have to wait and see.  In the mean time, Monique Lhuillier will be opening her first NY Store very soon on Madison.  There you will be able to shop from her couture, ready-to-wear and bridal collections.  This new shop is exactly what Madison Avenue needs.

Cheers Monique you continue to be one of the hardest workingwomen in the industry and once again, you didn’t disappoint.

NYFW: CND Continues to rock Christian Siriano, Monique Lhuillier, Rachel Antonoff and Tara Subkoff

Yesterday’s runway delivered femme pastels and confectionery-toned delight at Christian Siriano‘s Degas ballerina-inspired fashion show. Nails by CND’s Angi Wingle glimmered with pink thanks to CND Grapefruit Sparkle, a shade from CND’s brand new polish line coming out in Spring 2013. Paired with topknots and luminescent cheekbones, this beauty look was truly en pointe.

At Rachel Antonoff, CND’s Candice Manacchio showed why girls just want to have hedge fun at the country club! Three different nail styles paid tribute to the show’s garden party theme: 1) The “Aerial Nail” portrayed a bird’s eye view of Versailles 2) The “Garden Nail” captured the maze-like quality of the winding hedges in the presentation and 3) Clear tips layered with white and tagged with blue & red Sharpies memorialized the friends and family dearest to the designer.

At Monique Lhuillier, nails were inspired by reflective aquatic movement. CND’s Candice Manacchio created an illuminated, underwater manicure and pedicure using CND Lavender Pearl Effect mixed with a few drops of brand new CND polish in Lilac Longing (out in Spring 2013). With turquoise and gold eyeshadow, models looked marine marvelous!

At IMITATION by Tara Subkoff, CND’s Kristina Estabrooks fashioned a “Blown Glass” manicure with swirled and marbleized CND Copper Pearl Effect and CND Colour in Putty. Just as no marbleized nail is alike, the women of this show represented all ages and body types in a reflection on modern day society and female diversity

It’s times like these when…you just gotta love Beauty!!

Monique Lhuillier takes the next step forward in shoe fashion

We are just weeks away from New York Fashion Week and I look forward to all the brands showing next seasons haute-fashions.  Actually, you can always tell when it’s getting closer, because designers send sneak-peaks of what they are working on. One of those designers is Monique Lhuillier.

“I am so thrilled to be adding shoes to my collection. I have wanted to do this for some time, and I am excited to be able to dress all of my favorite celebrities from head to toe.”

That’s right one of the hardest workingwomen in the wedding industry (and one of the nicest) is dipping her toe into the shoe business.  This is her first foray into the ever-growing shoe boom in recent years.  Working with (a bride favorite) Manolo Blahnik this is sure to be a hit.  While it will be a few weeks before we see the entire line, I’m sure there will be hints of these beauties during fashion week.

Monique Lhuillier Shoes retail $595 to $1,195 and will be sold at her New York flagship store in September.

Monique Lhuillier 2012 Bridal Collection

Ethereal, Dreamy, Frothy, Romantic are the words that are used for the 2012 Monique Lhuillier collection.  They are words that absolutely fit this 25 piece collection.  Her bridesmaids dresses are equally as lovely.

Monique Lhuillier use of featherweight quality is woven through the collection. There were flowing chiffons, yards and yards of tulle, lightweight lace all layered to create a delicate and uber luxurious feeling.  What she doesn’t do is ‘over-do’. Her detailed layering and her signature ball gown skirts were only enhanced with the beading that was subtly sprinkled to add just enough shimmer as a bride walks down the aisle.

This season there were new necklines: Tank, Halter, racer back, spaghetti strap, v-neck and portrait (which she introduced in her fall 2011 collection and was well received). 

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I think it’s pretty safe to say that Monique Lhuillier is a designer that is consistent and most will agree…does nothing wrong when it comes to bridal.