onique Lhuillier

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monique Lhuillier

Birth name
Diane Monique Lhuillier
Born
September 15, 1971 (age 42)
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Nationality
Filipino
Field
Fashion designer
Monique Lhuillier (born September 15, 1971, Cebu City, Philippines) is afashion designer most
prominently known for bridal wear. She owns a couturefashion house based in Los
Angeles, California,
[1]
as well as another store onManhattan's Upper East Side.
[2][3]

Contents
[hide]
1 Personal life
2 Career
3 Awards and honors
4 References
5 External links
Personal life[edit]


Sarah Michelle Gellar wearing Monique Lhuillier at the 69th Golden Globe Awards in 2012.
[4]

Lhuillier was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a Vietnam-born Filipino businessman of mixed French
descent,
[5]
and Amparito Llamas, a Filipino society figure and former model of some Spanish
descent. She grew up in Cebu City and studied at Saint Theresa's College, continuing on to the
Chateau Mont-Choisi finishing school inSwitzerland. She moved to Los Angeles to study design at
the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). In Los Angeles, she met Tom Bugbee,
whom she married in 1996.
[6][7]

Career[edit]
While searching for a gown for her wedding, she was surprised by the lack of fashion-infused bridal
options, and started her first bridal collection in 1996. Her husband Tom joined the company as
CEO. She opened her first retail store in 2001. In 2004 she drew wide notice for her wedding
dresses for Britney Spears and Emmy Awards dresses for Jamie-Lynn DiScala and Allison Janney,
among others.
[8][9]
She opened a Los Angeles "flagship" store on Melrose Place in 2007,
[10]
and
added a New York store in 2012.
[11]
Her collections now include ready-to-wear, evening gowns,
bridal, bridesmaids, linens, tableware, fine paper, and home fragrances.
[3][12]

Lhuillier has become especially known for her celebrity wedding and red carpet gowns. Her list of
clientele includes Gwyneth Paltrow,
[13]
Reese Witherspoon,
[13]
Kristen Stewart,
[13]
Hilary
Swank,
[14]
Jennifer Lopez,
[15]
Taylor Swift,
[16]
and Katy Perry.
[17][18][19]

Awards and hono
Monique Lhuillier was invited to be a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in
2003. She received thePresidential Medal of Merit from the Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo in 2006.
[20]


MONIQUE LHUILLIER
Monique Lhuillier designs capture the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure
and glamour that have made her renowned in the world of design. Moniques innate sense of style is
prevalent throughout her bridal and ready-to-wear collections.
Moniques love for fashion has been a lifelong passion. Growing up in the Philippines, Moniques
early experiences with fashion took place alongside her mother whose own sense of personal style
and elegance were major influences for the designer. Enamored by fashion, Monique was
encouraged to pursue her dream of becoming a designer. At a young age, she moved to Los
Angeles to devote time to her craft and attend the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising.
The delightful fantasy of special occasions, especially weddings, has always inspired Monique
Lhuillier. While studying at FIDM, this natural inclination towards bridal and evening gowns led
Monique to her niche. It was also during her time at FIDM that Monique met her husband, Tom
Bugbee. In 1995, while searching for her own bridal gown, Monique was surprised by the lack of
fashionable bridal options. This void in the market reignited her passion to create couture bridal
gowns that transcended styles available to women in search of the perfect dress.
In 1996, Monique debuted her first bridal collection to acclaim from retailers and magazine editors.
The following year, Tom joined the company as CEO and turned Moniques vision of a couture
design house into reality. Their partnership has grown the business into one of the most successful
brands internationally which now includes a ready-to-wear collection and an array of licensed
categories.
In 2003, Monique was inducted as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Recognized internationally as one of the foremost fashion designers, Monique has dressed
celebrities and important political figures such as Kristen Stewart, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon,
Drew Barrymore and the First Lady Michelle Obama.
Monique and Tom live in Los Angeles with their two children, Jack and Sophia. Moniques career in
fashion is enriched by her strong dedication to family and commitment to philanthropic efforts.