“I had a very clear vision of what I wanted to do,” Monique Lhuillier said of her latest bridal collection, which drew on lush Italian gardens. “I wanted to make iconic dresses that can live on.” She described some of those gowns as having “traditional newness,” meaning form and construction were prioritized over her usual embellishments. A clean, long-sleeved ballgown in duchesse satin fit that description. Other looks came with dramatic details like high-low hemlines; large-scale floral lace; and exaggerated trains. A standout off-the-shoulder ballgown with a billowy skirt and poet sleeves was whipped up in light-as-air silk gazar, so it had shape and volume without bulk.
Lhuillier’s brides aren’t looking for red carpet–worthy statements, but they do want a dress that feels personal and special. “While there is a resurrection of traditional dresses [happening now], brides still want to see things they’ve never seen before,” says Lhuillier. “They’re ready to experiment.” For an interesting twist, Lhuillier introduced clever new illusion jackets and capes for the bride who wants to wear sleeves—but not necessarily all night.
Green florals, which nodded to the gardens that influenced this collection, lent a touch of unconventional freshness. “Colors in wedding dresses is a trend we see season after season,” says Lhuillier. “But brides are finally ready for it.”
