These of you who know me know that I had a protracted tenure on this planet of marriage ceremony magazines. I arrived at The Knot throughout its infancy, when it was only a rogue startup, in 1999. At the moment, Monique Lhuillier, a Los Angeles–primarily based Filipino American robe designer with French roots, was coming into her personal, and he or she quickly grew to become synonymous with a supremely stylish and complex bridal aesthetic.
Again then, the It designers have been Vera Wang, Amsale, and Lhuillier, who shortly grew to become identified for a form of formfitting however totally tasteful and chic robe made fully of lace. You can throw it in a garment bag and head off to the Caribbean to your vacation spot marriage ceremony. It match like a glove and telegraphed a narrative of contemporary romance and femininity.
That was in 1997, and this gown grew to become the go-to approach to announce your self, while you made your grand entrance on the ceremony, as a bride with fashionable tastes and unapologetic sexiness, all whereas nodding to custom with French lace, perhaps a tiny cap sleeve (my favourite model, usually with an open again), and sweeping prepare.
Lhuillier by no means misplaced her footing so far as standing on this planet of marriage ceremony robes. She developed her model to incorporate pink carpet eveningwear and couture (Awkwafina’s 2021 Emmys gown, a imaginative and prescient in mermaid blue organza, is only one latest instance) in addition to ready-to-wear, all of it very high fashion–impressed, with essentially the most female prints, flounces, and thrives.
Now, after 25 years within the bridal enterprise, the designer has teamed up with Kay Jewelers to debut Monique Lhuillier Bliss, a set of engagement rings and diamond bands. If you already know her work, you’ll be able to see her signatures within the designs—floral components, lacy borders and filigree, and shanks which might be elegantly curved and tapered, not not like the finely constructed silhouettes of her most iconic robes.
Engagement ring in 18k white gold with spherical and marquise diamonds, $7,400
Engagement ring in 18k rose gold with spherical diamonds, $3,200
The brand new designs are scattered all through this submit. Beneath, a recap of my dialog with the designer on Bliss, the evolution of at the moment’s bridal shopper, and extra.
JCK: You might be celebrating 25 years within the bridal trade. If you concentrate on the numerous brides you will have dressed over this time interval, how have their vogue tastes modified and developed?
Monique Lhuillier: I really feel that brides at the moment are extra risk-takers. They hear much less to custom and extra to designs that mirror their true personalities. I really like seeing brides proceed to embrace vogue in bridal. My aim has all the time been to supply brides with the gown of their desires, serving to them to be the easiest model of themselves on such a special occasion.
Wedding ceremony band in 18k white gold with spherical and marquise diamonds, $3,300
Engagement ring in 18k white gold with pear and spherical diamonds, $3,400
How are these tastes mirrored within the assortment of engagement rings and diamond bands you designed for Kay?
Deciding on an engagement ring is similar to discovering the right marriage ceremony gown—it’s a private alternative that additionally displays one’s persona. My jewellery designs for Kay take inspiration from my bridal designs, tying in floral accents and delightful, flowing silhouettes. I actually needed to create a modern jewellery assortment of contemporary but conventional styling with romantic and botanical themes.
What’s your favourite diamond form or reduce?
Whereas there are such a lot of beautiful shapes, I’d say that princess reduce is a favourite of mine. All the faceting of this fancy reduce makes it so sensible. There may be additionally a modernity to princess-cut diamonds that creates a trendy look.
Engagement ring in 18k white gold with marquise and spherical diamonds, $4,800
I keep in mind an impeccable match being a signature of any Monique Lhuillier robe. Did you concentrate on the match and proportion of the rings while you designed the gathering for Kay?
As with my attire, I’ve introduced the identical intricacies, delicate particulars, and refinements to the designs of my engagement rings and diamond bands. For lots of the kinds, I’ve organized the diamonds in a approach that’s harking back to motion and fluidity, just like the stream of my attire. I’ve additionally used mini fancy-shape diamonds completely proportioned to enrich and intensify the middle stone of every ring.
Engagement ring in 18k rose gold with spherical and marquise diamonds, $4,400
The gathering is at the moment accessible in Kay Jewelers shops and on-line.
