NEW YORK — Next spring is shaping up to be one of the brightest fashion seasons on record. Just about every designer is showing bold colors and bright florals — the kinds of clothes that customers love, particularly in a Sunbelt city like Houston.
But probably no designer is getting with the program more than Monique Lhuillier, whose spring 2016 collection is a riot of color and her freshest in a while.
As a contemporary art fan thrilled with the opening of The Broad Museum in her hometown of Los Angeles, Lhuillier told reporters she was inspired by artist Ellsworth Kelly — "especially the vibrant colors in his prints. I also wanted to get everything closer to the body."
The influence shows in her first look — a sleeveless emerald-green silk gazar mini shift with a jeweled floral neckline — and continues with flowing gowns in strawberry red, guipure lace tops in cobalt blue, smart coats in lipstick pink, and fitted strapless dresses in spring green.
Interspersed are coats, dresses and gowns in a a Monet floral print, along with a few more subtle black and white looks at the end that pale by comparison with the colorful counterparts.
Particularly striking are a pair of royal blue cigarette pants with a cerulean strapless top and train, and a similarly structured gown with an orange column skirt and tomato red strapless top and train.
Lhuiller is a relatively new entrant into the footwear market in only her second season, but her shoes for this collection were just as colorful as the clothes, with satin heels in candy colors — some accented with sing matte rubberized leather.
Lhuillier will be the featured designer at the Catwalk for A Cure gala and runway show November 5 at The Astorian.
Monique Lhuillier two-tone sculptural evening gown.
At the sale, shoppers can expect to find 68 racks of costumes and hundreds of hats, shoes, and other props.Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera 
Items will range in price from $1 to $200, with the majority in the under-$50 range.Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera