Loose but Luxe at Monique Lhuillier Resort (Fashion Wire Daily)

New York - It looked as though Monique Lhuillier had Oscar de la Renta on her mind with her safari-influenced Resort 2009 collection, which she showed in New York on Wednesday, June 4. She shared de la Rentas ladylike sensibility in her 34-look selection of dresses and skirt-and-jacket combinations.

Though "relaxed" and "loose" were Lhuilliers buzzwords, this was a polished collection that included strapless dry gazaar gowns in matte colors like teal, citron and coral red ("No shimmer," remarked Lhuillier) and smoothly woven raffia pencil skirts and trim jackets.

Lhuillier also mixed textures like a raw-edged lace jacket with a copper bead embellished dress, and ribbon appliques over a full white tulle skirt. "I left the edges raw because I didnt want it to be so perfect," Lhuillier said. "I wanted to leave some things loose."