milan — Monique Lhuillier, known for her romantic bridal and red carpet dresses, may one day complete her world with furniture.
In an interview with WWD, the designer explained that there's no reason why you can't achieve the same sense of wonder in your home, and said he's interested in designing furniture and fabrics someday.
“I'm always thinking of new ideas when it comes to furniture, fabrics and rugs. Lighting is also a category that interests me. I can't wait to continue expanding the brand,” she said. Lhuillier said in 2016 she helped launch Pottery Barn Kids, then in 2017 she started designing interior decor for Pottery Barn, and in 2020 she was followed by Pottery Barn Teen.
Her latest Monique Lhuillier x Pottery Barn collaboration was released earlier this year and was a collection of tabletop, entertainment, textiles, bath and decorative accessories inspired by the idyllic lavender fields of Provence.
In terms of influences, I am inspired by designers such as London-based interior designer Rose Uniake and Los Angeles-based interior designer Waldo Fernandez. “Their work takes me to new environments and fills me with joy,” Lhuillier reflected.
Born in Cebu City, Philippines, Lhuillier started sewing wedding dresses in the basement of her parents' home in Malibu and set the foundational pieces in the '90s for a company that now includes custom gowns, bridal, ready-to-wear and more. was established. It has over 1,000 sales locations and prices range from $300 to $60,000 in the licensed lifestyle category. Although her husband, Tom Bagbee, is the CEO of her company, Monique Lhuillier has so far never accepted any outside investment.
In a 2021 interview with WWD to commemorate Pottery Barn's 25th anniversary, Lhuillier said that after seeing Pottery Barn's home originally featured on the cover of Elle Deco and the collaboration with Goop that started in 2014, He said he contacted them to form a partnership. They bought bedding, redecorated the children's rooms, redecorated the house, and their business grew exponentially, she recalled.
She also said that in 2021, her dream is to expand her business globally and also step into the field of beauty, makeup and beauty for that big day. She told WWD earlier this month that Lhuillier produces fragrances under license, but she has not yet found a potential beauty line partner.
“Beauty is still a big passion of mine and I continue to explore opportunities for it. However, finding the right partner is important. Someone who understands the subtle colors and nuances that go into creating luxurious, elevated products that people reach for to feel glamorous on their special day,” she said.
Lhuillier's vision for the home is about building an oasis that is family-centered and permeated with “safety and tranquility,” and living in LA means al fresco dining and entertaining. “I wanted to share this passion for home and entertaining and make every day special and memorable. Through my partnership with Pottery Barn, I want to reach more consumers through an accessible collection that reflects my vision for their homes. ,” she said.
Looking beyond the home and runway, she focuses on creating lifestyle experiences. “I'm interested in exploring the lifestyle space further and there are a number of existing lifestyle categories that are working well for us, such as engagement rings with Kay Jewelers; Fragrance; ML Monique Lhuillier, my Diffusion fashion label, including digital wedding invitations by Paperless Post and a branded coffee table book titled “Monique Lhuillier The Art of Fashion.” “We are always working on new brand extensions to expand the Monique Lhuillier universe,” she said.
Whether it's the home decor she envisions or a bridal dress, her work is the result of her travels and the storytelling that emanates from her environment. Building an environment for modern women where home and fashion are closely related, it's about being taken away.
“For my bridal and fashion collections, I shoot in locations that capture the right vibe, expressing the complete vision of the design. For Pottery Barn, my inspiration continues to be rooted in these beautiful locations. Whether it's Provence or Positano, I want my consumers to be completely enveloped in the experience. The atmosphere of a place is always part of my design process, but much of my work at Pottery Barn beI was also inspired by my beautiful printed bridal dress. ”