Pinay designer Monique Lhuillier goes vampire red and dragon black

The FilAm magazine featured internationally-renowned Filipino fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, whose impressive clientele includes Hollywood actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Shannen Doherty, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.  The usually safe and subtle Monique Lhuillier is going bold this Fall.  

For her February 11 standing-room press show at Lincoln Center, she went “sci-fi goddess warrior.” She talked to The FilAm about “going tougher” this season and creating style that shows “strong shoulders.” “The ballgown was not really important in this collection. It’s all about slimmer silhouettes, sculpting the body. It’s a sexier side,” said the French-Cebuana Monique.

Red is her homage to the Year of the Dragon. Mix in fire print, lava and leather and swathes of silks until they all “create a new touch.”  

About 50 stunning evening wear and red carpet gowns were worn by 24 models. (Btw, three of them lost their footing and slipped, channeling Carrie Bradshaw. All I’m saying is: Falling on one’s face is no longer that embarrassing. At NYFW, it’s a rite of passage. When the culprit is a pair of Manolo Blahniks, it’s pure pride and joy.)  

I chatted up Monique’s husband Tom Bugbee backstage. Any favorites, I asked.  

Hmm, tough question, but replied, “Black and red lace gown, high neck with open back.” He loved its “classic shape, our open back.”  

“She worked a lot this season mixing fabrics whether it’s crave leather and satin. There was a lot more of that going on than we generally do, certainly with leather,” he said.  

And who would wander into front row? No less than actress-model Nina Dobrev from “The Vampire Diaries.” She wore a blue, off-shoulder dress from Monique’s Spring ‘12 collection. Matthew McConaughey’s betrothed, Camila Alves, was also there. She wore a V-neck, belted bright yellow dress from the same collection. Is this what they mean by ‘fashion forward?’ They need to be one season ahead? Hah!  

Visible motifs were red and black lace, leather and sequins, both solo or paired. It’s all about contrast. The show opened with leather, which later became the recurring inspiration. There was a black leather dress with red lace. Plum, gold and silver would pop up at some point but it was mostly reds and blacks.  

Breathtakingly carnal. - The FilAm