New York Fashion Week, which is held February and September of each year, is one of the most anticipated events for the fashion industry. For seven to nine days, international fashion designers congregate in the Big Apple to show their collections to buyers, press, and fashion aficionados from all over the world. It is one of four major fashion showcases in the world along with those in Paris, London and Milan.
Some of the well-known fashion designers who have participated in the Fashion Week include Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan, Herve Leger by Max Azria, Badgley Mischka, Prabal Gurung, Tadashi Shoji, Vivienne Tam, Zac Posen, J. Mendel, and Tory Burch to name a few. This year, the event was held from February 6 to February 13. We were lucky enough to catch Monique Lhuillier’s Fall/Winter Fashion Show at The Lincoln Centre during a recent trip of the HFPA to New York. After our interviews with Non-Stop stars Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore on February 8, we rushed to The Lincoln Centre to catch Monique’s show. We were so glad we went.
In her Fall/Winter fashion show, Monique – a favorite of Hollywood’s A-listers for the red carpet, weddings and premieres – showcased the skull theme in various ways: On an antique gold lace, embroidered strapless cocktail dress, a noir/silk white print neoprene high neck bell-sleeve midi dress, or a noir strapless tulle gown with embroidered bodice.
“I want to be edgy and have fun this time,” she told us at the end of the show.
The 42-year-old fashion designer from Cebu City, Philippines, studied design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Management (FIDM) in Los Angeles where she is based with her husband Tom Bugbee and their two kids. Her list of clientele includes Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Stewart, Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Zooey Deschanel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Shannen Doherty, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lea Salonga just to name a few.
The charming and petite fashion designer has recently turned to the dark side by highlighting a lot of black dresses and gowns with red or fuchsia lining, or black gowns with fuchsia baroque embroidery. But for those who are still looking for Monique’s signature feminine and romantic clothes, don’t despair. She came out with some sexy, lacy numbers that would be perfect for that special night out.
And guess what, Monique’s shoe line is to die for. Can you say no to her black lace and open toe booties or her black suede high ankle strap pumps with gunmetal crystals? You will definitely feel sexy in her fuchsia lace and suede open toe high heels and her black lace open toe pumps with lace cuff.
Indeed, for Fall 2014, the Monique Lhuillier woman is bold and dramatic with a hint of a romantic dark side. We just love how Monique pairs her signature femininity with a juxtaposition of modern architectural details and Old World Parisian couture. She explained: “This season is about fusing structure and fluidity – giving soft tulle a contemporary look with unexpected complements of abstract skeletal embroidery, patent leather belts cinching sleek silhouettes and merging glistening cobwebs of cotton lace with vinyl to create a twist on the traditional trench coat.
She added, “Confetti florals and elegant embroidery are combined with techno leather, futuristic neoprene and geometric guipure lace. Modern shapes are accented by striking angled hemlines that extend from stirring minis, to coy high-lows and brushing trains for a glimpse of a secret within. A bold color palette of ornate brushed gold used on baroque lace, brilliant noir, and dramatic midnight is softened by pops of fuchsia and a base of graphite and shimmering blush.”
In the audience, we saw Hollywood’s fashionistas, including Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung, Anna Kendrick, Cathleen “Cat” Deeley and Louise Roe who oohed and aahed at the collection and later made their way backstage to congratulate Monique and joined the crowd in embracing the new, edgy Monique.
Janet R. Nepales [gallery:3352]