Monique Lhuillier: Jeweled Ladylike Chic
By Heide Winkenwerder
Photos by Javier Mateo

NEW YORK, Feb 9, 2005 / FW --- The jewels of the Maharaja comes to New York as Monique Lhuillier presented her Fall 2005 collection showing 41 exits in all.

Her inspiration was a book sitting on her sister's coffee table while in Paris about the jewels of Maharaja. After her own extensive research on embroidery techniques and exotic fabrics her idea for this collection came to life.

Showing the ladylike chic silhouettes of the 60's using extravagant embellishments not to go over the top with just the right touch in all the right places.

Rich color palette of plum metallic, mustard, brown, charcoal, leopard print, magenta, olive green, copper, rust, vintage paisley and your basic black we in the line up.

The designer used tweed, taffeta, chiffon, cashmere, silk, Chantilly lace, zibeline and satin to showoff her artistic creations.

Sexy and sophisticated as well as girlie but chic came out of the embellishments used in each piece highlighted.

The first exit for example, a plum metallic tweed polo shirt dress, was elegantly presented using a strand of bold gold neckwear using a ribbon tied with the bow just off to the side.

Lhuillier also used the very delicate detailing of fox trim and at times mixed over an embellished coat or jacket. Sheer elegance.

Ribbon waistband added that very delicate girlie touch, the 3/4 sleeves and barely there pouf sleeves.

The designer's ingenuity to incorporate some of her embellishments to continue on and tie around the neck making it seem like a removable accessory instead of it being a part of the ensemble was just fantastic.

It would simply not be fair to make any special mention of the remaining 40 exits since they all truly deserve a special treatment.

Monique Lhuillier is a must see when her collection hits the storefront comes Fall 2005.

Bravo Monique for showing such a great collection!

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier