MONIQUE LHUILLIER

Our first Resort 2013 Roundup highlighted just some of our favorite trends from summer’s debut of the Resort 2013 season. The designers who offered up covetable collections to appease our fashion appetites in between major seasons seemed to have all been on the same page when it came to energizing prints and jet-set-worthy frocks. To sum up part one of our trend roundup, stripes and florals covered everything from mini skirts to wide-leg pajama pants. However, the pre-season Resort collections were just too good not to take notice—there’s still more great fashion we can’t help but talk about.

So, your beloved popped the question, and suddenly you're in all out wedding planning mode? Congratulations! Now; please allow us to offer you these two nuggets of bridal wisdom:

1. Chocolate fountains are unsanitary

2. Get thee to the Monique Lhuillier Bridal Sample Sale

That's right, the other name in bridal fashion is having a sample sale, where you can get the dress of your dreams for 40% --- 90% off. And, here's some good news for the horde of bridesmaids you'll be bringing: there's a slew of slashed-price Ready to Wear, too.

We are not married. Yet. But when we think 'weddings' we envisage couples gazing lovingly into each others eyes. A lawn strewn with pale pink peonies. Flutes of crisp, cool champagne and a HUGE white gown by Vera Wang. For all you lucky, up and coming brides to be, check out Glamour Closet's amazing bridal gown sample sale. Huge discounts on selected designer gowns priced at $499, $999 and $1499 with designer creations to include Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera and Pronovias. Glamour Closet 324 S. La Brea Ave. Saturday June 25Th, 9am to 5pm. Sunday June 26TH 10am to 3pm. Two Guests pp. maximum and everything sold 'As is'.

Once upon a time, Coco Chanel made the little black dress an eternal staple in every woman’s closet by introducing the fashion world to her “Ford” dress. However, this spring, the LBD takes the back seat to the little white dress. The LWD embodies femininity and virtue; it instantly translates elegance to any look. Bystanders will gaze at you in awe.

From the runway:

The LWD dominated the spring 2011 ready-to-wear runway shows, most notably Dolce & Gabbana's. Jill Stuart’s take on the LWD included structured silhouettes mixed with ruffles and frills. Azzaro’s show-stopping LWD encompassed a crystal bodice and a tired white silk skirt both united by a large black bow. Monique Lhuillier’s LWD designs were just angelic. Some other LWD designers included Derek Lam, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen (which is in the hands of the deserving Sarah Burton who took over for the late McQueen).

Tuesday night I caught a brief ending to an open Q&A with Ruffian designers, Brian Wolk and Claude Morais. The design duo spoke on the craftsmanship of their Fall 2010 bevy- taking note of their silk blouses, flaring knee-length skirts and cropped jackets. Brian expressed major enthusiasm when speaking about the sequined jersey dresses, which required the designers to send them out for handmade work. The small, yet intimate event allowed attendees to roam the studio admiring the designers sketches, artwork and wall of inspiration. The collection was partially inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Nights, a theme that carried through the vintage arrangement of images within the design room. The evening was hosted by Friends of Fashion, a national social enterprise created to support the fashion industry through scheduled exclusive events, private shopping parties and designer meet-and-greet opportunities. For more information, please visit their website.

• 1/20 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  Hundreds of gowns from designers like Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, and more are up to 50 percent off at Saks Fifth Avenue's bridal blowout sale. 611 Fifth Ave., nr. 50th St. (212-753-4000)

• 1/20 – 1/22 9:00AM to 6:00PM
  ALISON BROD PUBLIC RELATIONS SUMMER 2009 MARKET PREVIEW, 373 Park Avenue South (between 26th and 27th Streets), 4th Floor, NYC

• 1/20 – 1/22 10:00PM to 1:00AM
  LIVEstyle Film Lounge open party, 625 Main Street, Park City 10pm - 1am: LIVEstyle Film Lounge hosts an open party featuring a live acoustic performance and DJ set by Grammy Award-winning British house music trio Dirty Vegas

• 1/20–1/22 9:00AM to 7:00PM
  Save up to 70 percent on Valentino, M Missoni, Alexander McQueen, and Badgley Mischka at the Global Fashions sample sale. 49 W. 38th St., nr. Sixth Ave. (212-575-2171)

• 1/20 – 1/22 9:00AM to 6:00PM
  THINK PR Summer '09 Press Preview Invite, 11 East 4th Street, Suite 5F (between Broadway and Lafayette), NYC

• 1/20 – 1/25
  J.Crew's very first sample sale hits with up to 70 percent off retail prices on their Italian cashmere cardigans, men's and women's clothes, and certain Madewell styles. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Seventh Ave., second fl. (212-947-8748); Tues & Thurs (10–7), Wed & Fri (10–6), Sat & Sun (11–5).