Monique Lhuillier

Prominent Filipino fashion designer Monique Lhuillier was cast into the limelight when her wedding gown designs were sported at several high profile nuptials. Since then, she has expanded both her line and her A-list clientele. She stands as one of the most promising and elegant up-and-coming designers.

Diane Monique Lhuillier, known professionally as Monique Lhuillier, was born 1971 in Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. Raised in the Philippine province of Cebu, she is of French and Cebuano extraction. Her last name is French for “oilmaker.” Lhuillier came from a prominent family. They owned pawnshops located in over one hundred cities in the Philippines.

In 1996, she married Tom Bugbee. They are currently still together, and they welcomed their first child, a son, into the world on January 17, 2006. They named him Jack Nicholas Lhuillier Bugbee.

Prior to her wedding, however, Lhuillier found herself without a dress. After trying on endless possibilities, nothing seemed right, so she took it upon herself to design the gown. Her sketches turned into an entire fashion line, despite her husband’s belief it was just a hobby that would eventually subside.

Her big break into the fashion world came in 2004 when her wedding gown appeared on Christine Baumgartner in her marriage to Kevin Costner. Lhuillier’s fame was further fueled when her designs were donned by Britney Spears in her 2004 marriage to Kevin Federline.

She is also noted for designing the dress worn by Sarah G Lee when she married Bill Lee. Lee is the daughter of former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper Gore. Other notable stars to wear her dresses at their nuptials include Giuliana DePandi in her marriage to The Apprentice champion Bill Rancic, Emilie de Ravin in her marriage to Josh Janoicz, Alicia Silverstone when she wed Christopher Jarecki, and many others.

Since this high profile exposure, Lhuillier’s line has expanded to include more general evening wear. Celebrities were quick to sport the hot new designer, and Lhuillier’s gowns lit up the award show red carpet again and again.

September 18, 2007 was another monumental step for Lhuillier. During New York Fashion Week, her new line of party dresses hit the catwalk. Her line, like her signature wedding gowns, exuded sophistication and flowing lines.

Increasing her exposure, she appeared on the television production Fashion Week Diaries in 2005. The documentary also featured Paula Abdul, Shannen Doherty, Ethan Hawke, Betsy Johnson, Michael Kors, Jennifer Lopez, Zac Posen, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Vanessa Williams, and many more.