Alumni

Grad Monique Lhuillier Celebrates 25 Years in Business

Known for timeless, ethereal, and romantic designs, and dressing everyone from Britney Spears to Michelle Obama, Monique Lhuillier is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her brand. A Fashion Design and DEBUT Graduate who didn’t know how to sew before attending FIDM, has shared her design process, when she felt she “made it,” and what’s to come with numerous publications. We’ve excerpted some of them here:

"People could not say my name for the life of me. They would be like, 'Oh, you know that Monique girl, she's new?' After nearly four years, "People started saying Monique Lhuillier. And I was like, 'Oh my gosh, something's happening. We are going in the right direction,'" the Philippines-born designer told E! News.

“I love everything that gives the illusion of long, lean and elegant,” Lhuillier — who just released Monique Lhuillier: Dreaming of Fashion and Glamour, as well as a line of engagement rings and wedding bands with Kay Jewelers — recently told the New York Times of her bridal gowns, which are made in Los Angeles.

The cover of Monique Lhuilller's book, which features a model seated in a dramatic bridal gown

"You will see epic proportions in the next collection. I just feel like people are ready to go over the top, so you’ll see it’s very light and ethereal, but it’s grand. You’ll also see some high-low hemlines [and] a lot of epic sleeves. I’m still continuing the trend of convertible dresses because I do believe that’s here to stay," she said in Brides.

She told Women’s Wear Daily: “My dream is to expand globally — we need a bigger presence internationally. We also need a bigger digital presence because people are comfortable buying jewelry and clothing online. I would also love to step into the beauty space, makeup and beauty for that big day.”

A look inside the pages of Monique Lhuillier's new book featuring designs from the last 25 years