Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015: Sweet pastels, edgy details

Sweet pastel shades and voluminous shapes made for a decidedly romantic Spring 2015 collection from Monique Lhuillier. While her designs have always been unabashedly feminine, this time there were also attempts at edgier sophistication.

Details such as iridescent piping and the use of an interesting black “liquid satin” fabric kept the looks from devolving into a total sugarplum fantasy. A black double-faced mesh and lace sleeveless romper with silver metallic jacquard shorts, worn with a black knit bandeau underneath and accompanied by rose gold leather ankle-strap sandals, was a welcome surprise. The sheer top and bandeau combination appeared elsewhere as well, most notably in a look that also included (gasp!) pants. Hues inspired by the colors of the sunrise – as was the case with the entire collection – were literally printed across the pair of pants in a seascape photo, while the outfit’s sheer silk voile blouse with metallic collar and pale pink bandeau shimmered with iridescence, evoking a calm ladies-who-lunch on the Lower East Side look.

As always, however, the most breathtaking pieces in Lhuillier’s collections are her gowns. While a black liquid satin strapless draped bodice that gave one dress a bondage-like feel on top, its contrasting beautiful ombre layered tulle skirt was strictly a young girl’s princess dream, negating all dark thoughts. The finale, a grand mint green double-face mesh and tulle strapless ball gown with an abstract bow back, was accompanied by a soft shower of iridescent flower-shaped confetti, creating a feeling of complete optimism for the season to come.

Photos: Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015 – New York Fashion Week
all photos by Shelly Xu / Meniscus Magazine