Monique Lhuillier at Fashion Week

Monique Lhuillier always manages to surprise us -- just when we think she'll do a collection of utterly girly frocks she springs something equally divine but completely different on us.  This was the case yesterday when the FIDM Grad debuted her Spring '09 collection at New York Fashion Week.
   

For spring, Lhuillier kept it fresh and sophisticated, incorporating sturdy denim and canvas into the mix of silky chiffon and and romantic tulle dresses.  Cocktail dresses, sheaths, and pencil skirts lent a retro feel to the collection, while Aztec embroidery, beading, and a dramatic python motif gave the looks a modern twist.