Monique Offers More

Monique Lhuillier joins fashion revolution to sell direct from runway

Way back in 1996, Monique Lhuillier launched her career as a bridal designer. Now she offers so much more — and some of her latest looks are available directly from the runway.

Her fall womenswear collection, unveiled at the Skylight at Moynihan Station venue during New York Fashion Week, features the voluminous special occasion ball gowns for which she has become known. But it also showcases a sizable number of daywear pieces, including jacquard skirts and slacks, art deco cardigans, alpaca knit sweaters with floral petal embroidery, and lace dresses, which can take the busy woman from day to nighttime without changing outfits.

Lhuillier also debuted her first "sunwear" collection of sunglasses, day bags, belts, and printed scarves. Add in the footwear and evening bag collection she launched last February, and the designer can now dress a woman from head to toe.

"What I love about this venue is showing the breadth of the Monique Lhuillier woman," Lhuillier said backstage after her show. "She doesn't only go on the red carpet or get married. She has a full life where she goes to all these places, and she needs special items to wear, and not necessarily a dress or a gown."

Unlike many designers who show a lot of dark shades for fall, Lhuillier's collection features eye-popping colors of cherry red, teal blue, rose pink, and basil green. She said she was inspired by '60s actress and style icon, Talitha Getty. But Lhuillier's home base of Los Angeles always figures in her sunnier and a bit flashier look — one that goes over well in Texas too.

"I love color, and I like special items, and the combinations are really interesting," Lhuillier said. "It's about being ultra-luxe and standing out and making your personality shine to feel special."

Like a lot of designers, Lhuillier is trying to figure out the best way to satisfy social media-conscious consumers who see looks from fashion week and want them immediately instead of waiting five or six months until the styles are in stores. For the first time, she picked five looks from the show that can be ordered immediately on her website and delivered within weeks, ranging from a red lace blouse ($1,495) to a crystal embroidered midi dress ($5,995).

"Since we manufacture designs in our own factories, we decided to test it out this season and see if it really is the wave of the future," she said.

Monique Lhuillier cherry guipure lace long-sleeve top, $1,495, and cherry tweed sheath dress with guipure lace trim, $4,290, at moniquelhuiller.com [http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/shop/categories/runway].

Photo by Greg Kessler

Monique Lhuillier cherry guipure lace long-sleeve top, $1,495, and cherry tweed sheath dress with guipure lace trim, $4,290, at moniquelhuiller.com [https://www.moniquelhuillier.com/shop/categories/runway].

new-york-fashion-week

The Wellness One Percent

2 Austin spas named among world's best by Condé Nast readers

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake Austin Spa Resort has reached the top of the list for U.S. properties.

Just in time for Austin's festival season comes a reminder to cool it and do some intensive skincare: Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted for their favorite spas in the world, and two Austin spots are on the list.

Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named No. 3 among the "Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World," which was also No. 1 out of the American contenders. In the 2023 awards, it was second in the country, and it could continue moving up the ranks worldwide if it beats the Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA in Turkey, or BodyHoliday in St. Lucia — two very tall orders.

It is joined by Miraval Austin Resort & Spa at No. 20, the only other Texas resort on the list. There were 30 spas and resorts on the list overall.

Contributing writers from the magazine acted as reviewers to make sure the selections were covered in firsthand detail.

"Everything is centered on wellness," wroteLake Austin Spa Resort's reviewer, Texas contributor Allison Bagley, "from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting."

The 40-room resort looks Texan to folks who know what to look for — lots of mixed stone and timber construction, plants everywhere, and vaguely rustic interiors — but doesn't get cheesy with references to the Lone Star State. As Bagley points out, this isn't a place to pop over between errands, but a retreat from the city about 30 miles away.

Lake Austin Spa Resort's gently eclectic interior.Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort via Condé Nast Traveler

The review also covered the expected stuff: a largely female clientele, a "cottage feel," a soft bed, and some of the spa's own products in the bathroom. But more amenities less central to the typical spa experience were also praised, including the room service menu featuring ingredients grown on site, guided stargazing sessions, and the approachability of classes by Paul, the yoga teacher.

"One of the pools is housed inside a barn — it's a striking setting," wrote Bagley of highlights that didn't fit neatly into the pre-determined review categories. "And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings."

In a release, Lake Austin Spa Resort expressed gratitude and shared more tips about the property.

“Moving up from the #2 position to #1 is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to create transformative experiences that have a lasting impact," said general manager JoAnn Lenhardt in the release. "We are sincerely grateful to Condé Nast Traveler readers for their trust and ongoing enthusiasm for our Texas Hill Country retreat."

In addition to Bagley's favorite things, the property also calls attention to its stand-up paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and a special treatment tool that's the only one of its kind in North America: a Comfort Zone Zone Skin Analysis Scan. It also shares four awards from 2024 alone, coming from Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10, Elle Magazine, and the Hotel O-Awards.

At Miraval, Austin-based contributing writer Stirling Kelso took note of similar highlights like a natural setting removed from the actual city of Austin, a focus on wellness, and Texas stone architecture. One big standout, although it might just be Kelso's clever turn of phrase that emphasized it, is the clientele.

Miraval Austin interior Miraval's stark, modern looks.Photo by James Baigrie, courtesy Miraval Austin via Condé Nast Traveler

Answering, "Who stays here?" Kelso writes, "The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules."

It also sounds — and looks from pictures — like Miraval is a more stark, modern experience than its Lake Austin competitor. The art is not of nearby flora and fauna, but abstract shapes and references to Eastern design. Kelso also points out that wine, beer, and cocktails are available, despite being rare at wellness retreats.

With both falling in the world's top 30, Austinites surely can't go wrong choosing either spa. More information about the selected properties, broken up into similar elements for easy comparison, is available at cntraveler.com.

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