Evelyn Sineneng-Smith recently conducted a lecture to the Haute Couture
class of Carla Zimbelman at the Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California.
Evelyn described to Ms. Zimbelman's students the haute couture techniques utilized by
Monique Lhuillier in her bridal gowns, which were worn by, among others, Britney Spears when she married
K-Federline, Christine Baumgartner (to Kevin Costner), Vanessa Manillo (to Nick Lachey). The students were
at awe at the incredible detail in these gowns, which cost from $5,000. to $25,000.! Evelyn referred
to Monique's craftsmanship in creating handmade roses, origami flowers, frayed ruffled organza, lace over
lace embroidery, the details which can upgrade an ordinary simple gown to ""haute couture"" level.
The segment about ""Monique Lhuillier: The Business Empire"" was more interesting to the students,
who may pursue a career in Haute Couture. Evelyn discussed the infrastructure
of Monique Lhuillier's design business, from her flagship salons, to her accredited bridal salon distributors, to the
corporate indentities, to the licensing of her designs, which now extend to dinnerware, stemware, fine printed invitations, beautiful
scented candles, and others. Monique Lhuillier's bridal designs are sold in the finest bridal salons globally,
all over the US, Canada, South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim countries.
The buzz in the fashion industry is that she is ""competing with Vera Wang"" and ""the next Vera Wang"". Well, there's also Georgina Chapman,
another designer with the same caliber and with the same ""deep pockets"".
Ms. Sineneng-Smith was able to lecture on Monique Lhuillier from three different perspectives: business, legal
and fashion, three areas where she spent her education and career. She concluded her lecture by
inspiring the students that, even if they may not come from a very affluent family like Monique Lhuillier,
they can still make it in the fashion business if they continue to develop their creative talents.
Ms. Sineneng-Smith believes that one should continuously learn new skills to remain competitive here in America,
and that ""obtaining a green card is only the beginning of an immigrant's long journey here in the United States.""
Pros: We were able to HAUL this illegal alien out of anonymity!
Cons: Angry because we were able to haul him out of anonymity!
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