DECEMBER 2017 28 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM {fashion in the philanthropy lane} GIVING IN STYLE MONIQUE LHUILLIER’S Love Letter to Paris Set Phoenix on Fire Tyler Butler | SOCIETY AND FASHION WRITER Monique Lhuillier set the Valley of the Sun on fire when she brought her spring 2018 collection to Phoenix in support of the Brophy Fashion Show. It’s clear this involvement spoke to her altruistic nature, but what people might not know is that she also has a personal tie to the educational institution through her husband, who attended the school himself. The collection Lhuillier shared with the Phoenix community was a special contribution by the iconic wedding dress designer though, as it took a departure from her 15-year tenure showing at New York Fashion Week. Lhuillier instead debuted her newest collection at Paris Fashion Week. “Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and being half French, I just felt it was the perfect time to debut in Paris,” Lhuillier said. Unveiling the collection in Paris was literally a dream come true for the prominent dressmaker. Her objective was simple — Lhuillier wanted to show during couture week specifically to display how these clothes shine. And with every intention of showing a connection to the esthetic of Paris, it was most apparent what the designers’ inspiration was. This collection was Lhuillier’s “love letter to Paris,” showing how the city has inspired her over the years. This sentiment was based on what Lhuillier felt a woman should look like when she lives and walks the streets of the famous fashion mecca. Like so many high-end designers, Lhuillier has a long standing relationship with Neiman Marcus and when invited to share this collection locally, she couldn’t resist. Lhuillier was drawn to the mission of the Brophy Fashion Show. As a mom she recognizes the importance of education and she wanted to salute the fundraising endeavor that is focused on cultivating resources for scholarships awarded to academically-qualified students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Brophy. She also wants to instill into her 11-year-old son Jack the characteristics of service that provided her with even

DECEMBER 2017 FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM | 29 more reason to support this cause and to take her support one step further by donating a gown to the auction. Lhuillier’s desire to give back and the example she looks to set for her son has also included trips to her homeland in the Philippines, where they support different causes annually, volunteer and donate during their visits. The designer believes it is every person’s responsibility “to give back and make this place a better world.” She sees these opportunities as a way to level the playing field of life, trying to give more people the same chances that others have. Lhuillier’s heart for helping others similarly extends to other causes, each relating to her personal and professional life, namely women and children. She sits on boards and committees for Baby2Baby and the Breast Cancer Research Fund. Her involvement with the latter is due in large part to her continued support of several close friends who have battled breast cancer. And her involvement with Baby2Baby clearly links to her role as a mother as well as to the focus of this cause. Baby2Baby is an organization out of Los Angeles that provides low income families with diapers, clothing and basic necessities — things that can be taken for granted, but things these children really need. Naturally, her business in the apparel industry makes for an innate tie in for this cause. “I can see when I get involved in charities that I am bringing attention to the good work the organization is doing,” she said. She recognizes further that the manner in which she lives her life is an example in and of itself. “Because so many young girls follow my career I feel I am showing them how to get involved with charities and different ways to contribute,” she said. Her teams throughout the globe also emulate her example. The retail employees will volunteer throughout the holidays in their local markets to help organizations that are meaningful in their communities. The entire Monique Lhuillier team recognizes that the most valuable commodity to donate, after all, is time. Kitty Broderick, designer Monique Lhuillier and Tim Braun, Neiman Marcus General Manager