The crowd love L.A. designer Monique Lhuillier's gowns
Last night, the Schmerhorn Symphony Center was transformed from the state-of-the-art home of the Nashville Symphony into a high fashion runway that rivaled anything New York's Fashion Week had to offer as the Lara Turner Concert Hall hosted Nashville's first glance at designer Monique Lhuillier's Fall 2009 Collection, Modern Ballet Russes.
If you're not familiar with L.A. based Lhuillier, you should be. In recent months, her gowns have gone from runways to red carpets as she is quickly becoming a favorite of such stars as Desperate Housewives' Terri Hatcher and Eva Longoria, Singer Christina Aguilera and Grey Garden's star Drew Barrymore.
Acting as co-chair this year were Lee Ann Ingram and Lake Eakin, who were on hand prior to the event for a stunning photo op in the adjacent outdoor courtyard. A press conference followed during which the designer spoke about her influences and design process and her latest collection. "This collection has a lot of beautiful colors in it," revealed Lhuillier. "It has a newness to give people a reason to buy, to want to get dressed up again, and to feel good," the designer continued.
When asked if the current economic state had impacted her designs Lhuillier shared, "Women are now busier than ever, so if they put on a suit for lunch they need to take it all the way to dinner. You'll see some suits in the collection and that's new for us."
Lee Ann Ingram, Monique Lhuillier and Lake Eakin
While Lhuillier tends to travel with a model she features in most of her events, she also enjoys the opportunity to incorporate local models into her shows whenever possible. Last night was no exception, "Usually when we do shows, we use girls from the local cities. I bring one girl, I like to have my signature girl, but I think these girls are terrific and it adds to the charm that the girls are from here," said Lhuiller.
Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, known collectively as Lady Antebellum were also on-hand for the press conference. You may be thinking why would country music's hottest trio be involved in a press conference for a fashion show? As it turns out, Lady Antebellum were acting as host of the event.
Hillary first wore a Lhuillier original to this year's Grammy's. Of Lhuillier's fashions, Hillary confided, "Her gowns are really comfortable. This gown (speaking of gorgeous ankle length navy Monique Lhuillier gown she would be wearing to host the evening) and the one I wore at the Grammy's are very comfortable, wearable--very elegant--she does such an amazing job of accentuating a woman's figure, her curves and all of that," continued the singer. "I think that sometimes when you put on a dress, you feel ike you can't move, but hers are very wearable, very comfortable and are made of such beautiful fabrics," Lady Antebellum's sole female explained.
Lady Antebellum relax before the show
Moments later in the transformed Symphony Hall, Hillary and band-mates Charles and Dave welcomed everyone, thanked the Co-Chairs and nearly everyone involved in presenting the event, and the procession of fashion began.
Metallics, black and jewel-tones were prominent with the occasional splash of a bright pink or teal. The 50-garment runway show included a mix of day-wear, gowns, cocktail dresses, the aforementioned newly added suits and of course the pre-requsite over-the-top bridal gown--Lhuillier's feathery wedding offerings garnered much-deserved applause as they closed the show.
Lhuillier emerged with her models and thanked the enthusiastic crowd, then Lady Antebellum took to the stage to perform two of their hits, 2007's Love Don't Live Here and their current chart topping I Run to You. Patrons who had opted to make an entire night of it then proceeded toward the front of the Schmerhorn where a large white party tent had been erected for a post fashion show dinner. As guests exited the tent, they were given a complimentary gift bag containing among other things a Lady Antebellum cd.
Of the event, a spokesperson for The Nashville Symphony said, "We're thrilled with the success of this year's Symphony Spring Fashion Show. Not only were we able to raise money for important Symphony programs, but everyone also had a lot of fun in the process. Monique Lhuillier and Lady Antebellum were clearly a winning combination."
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