Monique Lhuillier
| Monique Lhuillier | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Diane Monique Lhuillier |
| Born |
September 15, 1971 Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Field | Fashion designer |
Monique Lhuillier (born September 15, 1971, Cebu City, Philippines) is a fashion designer most prominently known for bridal wear. She owns a couture fashion house based in Los Angeles, California.
Lhuillier has become a celebrity favorite for both wedding and red carpet gowns. Her list of clientele includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Nicki Minaj, Zooey Deschanel, Kim Yoo-Jin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and, more recently, Shannen Doherty, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga and Katy Perry.[1][2]
Personal life
Lhuillier was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a businessman of French descent, and Amparito Llamas, a Filipino society figure and former model of Spanish descent. She grew up in Cebu City and studied in Saint Theresa's College, continuing on to a finishing school in Switzerland. As a teenager, she was an outstanding student in Lausanne and dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. She moved to Los Angeles to study design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). It was in Los Angeles that she met her future husband, Tom Bugbee. Monique and Tom currently reside in Los Angeles with their two children..
Career
While searching for a gown for her wedding in 1995, Monique was surprised by the lack of fashion-infused bridal options. Having had an affinity for evening gowns and bridal while at FIDM, Monique launched her first bridal collection in 1996. The collection received great acclaim from both editors and buyers alike. Her husband Tom joined the company as CEO, to turn Monique’s vision to establish a couture design house into reality.
At present, the Monique Lhuillier collections encompass ready-to-wear, evening gowns, bridal, bridesmaids, linens, tableware, fine paper, and home fragrances.[3]
Awards and honors
Monique Lhuillier was invited to be a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2003. She received the Medal of Honor from the Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006.
References
- ↑ "The World of ML > Life > Monique Lhuillier". Monique Lhuillier.
- ↑ "Updated Profile".
- ↑ Coe, Julie (19 December 2012). "Monique Lhuillier's Glittering New Upper East Side Flagship". Architectural Digest.