9-11 in New York was rainy and damp — yet the fashionistas had a field day! A Filipina designer, Monique Lhuillier, showed off her Spring Collection at Bryant Park on Fifth Avenue. Her parents, especially my role model (with a warm, welcoming personality and down-to-earth aura to complement her business ventures and philanthropic advocacies) Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, must be beaming with pride. Yes, we’re happy too! That’s because Monique is a true-blooded Cebuana (o.k., French and Spanish with cultural roots in Cebu). Someone asked me (by e-mail) if Monique is proud of her Filipina roots, and I replied, “All the time!”
Ay, Proudly Pinay! Way to go, Monique!!!
I found many photos of Monique’s design collection for 2008 Fashion Week housed at New York Magazine. The New York Post had a few good and very clear photos of Monique’s models and oh-so-beautiful creations on that catwalk.
You can also check out this video, courtesy of Veoh.com.
According to Cristina DC Pastor, managing editor of Philippine News:
In Fashion Week, she showcased her Spring collection of ready-to-wear formals and cocktail dresses, a collection characterized by ruffles, bows, pleats in soft fabric and candy colors of vanilla, mint, pistachio and butterscotch.
“This season is about embracing your femininity,†she said, adding further how her clothes accentuate women’s curves, while giving the illusion of length. To further dramatize the feminine aspect, there is a lot of draping and embroidery on her designs.
“I saw the color palette flash before my eyes while enjoying a box of my favorite Laduree macaroons,†she explained her choice of delectable colors.
Second City Style Fashion Blog was generous with its review of the Spring Collection. Here’s a snippet:
The dresses and gowns were just as gorgeous leaving the runway as the were entering. Cocktail dresses and evening gowns were wrapped delicatley around the body, some ending in a ruffled neck or corset, others in asymmetrical necklines (a huge trends for spring). There were a few black dresses and some in jersey not to mention a high-waisted black trouser with a white ruffled blouse. But classic Lhuillier speaks to the glamour girl in us all. The one that likes to get dressed up and look elegant without really trying too hard. There was only one gown that looked a little too fussy and resembled a tiered wedding cake, but other than that one mistep, the showcase was flawless.
Omiru.com, a “style and shopping website dedicated to the concept of real style for real people,” had noted her 2007 Fall collection during last year’s Fashion Week with these comments:
Silhouettes: Monique Lhuillier’s strength is her dresses, and the architectural seaming on these dresses was reminiscent of Narciso Rodriguez, circa 2003. Details to note: the high neckline, the yoke-collar combination, and the slim vertical cutouts.
Last February 2007, a review, written by Fashion Windows, labelled Monique’s 2007 Fall Collection as “Dreamily Futuristic.” Here’s a quote:
Designers get inspiration from the most unexpected places and for Fall 2007, Monique Lhuillier had two muses, Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and the glamour of old Hollywood.
For architectural buffs, the moment Frank Gehyr’s name was mentioned it was plainly obvious that some metallic elements are going to be part of the collection. Staying true to her inspiration, Lhuillier created belts with steel rivets, brooches and cameos that are made of steel.
Well, Amparito, I enjoyed collecting some of these reviews. We’re very proud of Monique’s talent and entrepreneurial savvy.
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