Monique Lhuillier
Slim and sporty was the name of the game at Monique Lhuillier, usually known for her ultra-romantic confections. The designer was inspired by athletic wear and fitness this season. The runway, black with a bright blue stripe painted down the middle, looked more like a racetrack. The body-con shapes, in blocks of royal blue and magenta featuring bustier bodices, thick black stripes and straps, and cutouts inlaid with lace, insisted that one be young, bold, and Pilates-toned to wear them. Shoes were aggressively sexy, lace-up stilettos.
At times, however, the tightly wrapped dresses leaned too much towards the classic Herve Leger bandage dress, or the scuba-inspired gear that several other designers like Ohne Titel have explored in past seasons. The final gowns, while still sports-inspired, carried the traditional Lhullier silhouette, with mixed results — some of the fabrics on top were too sporty for the mermaid tulle skirting on the bottom. Still, kudos to Lhuillier for stepping outside her comfort zone.
