"Resort is a little less fussy, so I gravitated toward cleaner shapes that felt easy," said Monique Lhuillier of her new collection, which was inspired by Palm Springs. The designer, who is best known for her bridal confections and eveningwear, focused instead on modern separates, including several pairs of relaxed trousers and casual, yet polished lace T-shirts. Daytime sheaths featuring graphic prints like a warped houndstooth and a fuchsia brick motif were embroidered with scraps of leftover lace for a multilayered, textured effect.
Meanwhile, Lhuillier amped up some of her more standard cocktail fare with the addition of cool capes, explaining that she liked the idea of "arriving at an event with the full ensemble—cape included—then peeling off that layer for an entirely different look." Her stock-in-trade gowns felt sleeker and sportier. A curve-hugging column in sapphire-colored lace had flattering tonal panels that snaked down the side, while a full-on sequined number fit and draped like it was jersey.
