Wedding on Wedding

Move over Vera Wang, there's a new designer-to-the-stars in town. Of course Vera Wang is here to stay, but the hot name on everyone's lips right now is Monique Lhuillier. But who is this woman, what are her designs like, and better yet, can you afford them?

Who is Monique Lhuillier?

Born to French, Spanish and Filipino parents, Monique Lhuillier was raised in the Philippines. The combination of her mother's glamorous style and the extensive traveling of her family had a great impact on Monique and led to her dream of being a fashion designer. She attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and upon graduation,took a job at a small French firm. But it was the process of designing her own wedding to future company co-founder Tom Bugabee that cemented her vision of her future firm. In 1996, she launched her first bridal collection.

What celebrities have worn Monique Lhuillier wedding dresses?

The designer's dresses are often seen on the red carpet and in editorial spreads in magazines. But Monique Lhuillier wedding dresses have also been seen on more than a few high profile stars. Singer Pink wore an ivory and black Monique Lhuillier gown in order to make "Corey's heart stop for a second." Emilie de Ravin of TV's Lost wore a lacey long gown at her intimate wedding, and Evestar Ali Landry also donned Lhuillier at her top-secret Mexican wedding to director Alejandro Monteverde. She really made a name for herself when she designed two high-profile weddings in a row. Monique Lhuiller designed Christine Baumgartner's wedding dress for her fall 2004 wedding to Kevin Costner shortly after designing both of Britney Spears's wedding dresses in her wedding to Kevin Federline. Not only did she make Britney's long Italian Silk wedding dress, but Britney also chose this designer for the five burgundy silk crepe bridesmaids dresses, her extra-short lace dress post-ceremony, and her mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom dresses.

But Lhuillier has long been a designer to the stars, and has designed wedding dresses for Natalie Imbruglia, Charlotte Ross, Debbie Matenopoulos, and was chosen by over 300,000 viewers of the Today Show for Nikki Hensley's wedding dress as part of their "Today Throws a Destination Wedding 2004" series. She also designed 2004 Emmy gowns for winner Allison Janney, and attendees Jamie-Lynn DiScala, Megan Mullally and Famke Janssen.

What is a Monique Lhuillier wedding dress like?

Her designs are very feminine, and marked by exquisite workmanship and luxurious fabrics. Very few have sleeves, and most are a-line with full dramatic skirts. Her dresses have a modern and stylish feel, while retaining a traditional romantic sentimentality. To get a glimpse of her most recent runway shows and ad campaigns, visit her website.

How much does a Moniquie Lhuillier wedding dress cost?

The high quality of her gowns is reflected in her price tags. The bridal line typically runs from $2,000 to $10,000, with eveningwear slightly less expensive.


Source : http://weddings.about.com/od/styleandattire/a/moniquelhuillie.htm