The perfect ending to the fairy tale, according to classic lore, is the spectacular wedding where the young bride meets her charming prince in a dress of such exquisite beauty, whether made from delicate lace, swathed in tulle, or cascading with crystal beads. The wedding dress, simple or elaborate, fantastical or sophisticated, is the absolute pinnacle, epitomising the moment when the dream becomes reality.

No fairy tale, however, includes the part where the daughter ends up making her mother’s wedding dress. That’s exactly what Monique Lhuillier did when she flew back home to her native Philippines with her husband, Tom Bugbee, and children Sophia and Jack in August. The visit was for her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration, which included a stately church ceremony that saw her mother, the ageless beauty Amparito, walk down the aisle in a custom Monique Lhuillier design.

“Designing my mother’s gown for this 50th anniversary is a moment I will cherish for a lifetime,” Lhuillier says, her voice still brimming with emotion. “It was like the circle of life. My mum had dressed me up in my childhood, now I was dressing her. It took a year to design the dress, using her wedding gown from 50 years ago, which was still in amazing shape, as the foundation. I instantly knew I had to use elements of it. I took the dress’ lace train and reworked it onto a new gown I designed with a slim silhouette and long sleeves. The dusted gold embroidery on the gown signified my mother’s golden anniversary. She looked absolutely stunning and I was so proud to have been a part of this momentous occasion.”

Though Lhuillier has been bringing dreams to life since 1996, when she first showed her bridal collection to retailers and magazine editors in the United States to much acclaim, she values hard work more than hype. Together with her husband, who joined the company as ceo in 1997, she has grown the Monique Lhuillier label to grace more than couture bridal wear. Today, it is one of the most successful international brands, encompassing fashion and lifestyle categories. In the midst of continuous growth and global expansion, Lhuillier, the designer, remains grounded in reality, dedicated to her young family and committed to her philanthropic activities.

Amidst the whirl of preparations for her parents’ milestone celebration, she spoke candidly on weddings, work, and why Asia is part of her global strategy.

From her base in Los Angeles, Lhuillier sets her sights on the rest of the world. As her business continues to grow from strength to strength—fashion editors and retailers love her, and the number of A-list stars wearing her creations during awards season alone is a testament to her enduring red carpet appeal—the lure of Asia is becoming harder to ignore. Exclusive boutiques throughout Asia-in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia—have been stocking up on her Eveningwear and Bridal collection for some time now. And there is something so quintessentially Asian in Lhuillier’s designs, in the way they emanate a femininity that is both delicate yet powerfully assured. The designer herself feels the time is right for freestanding stores in key Asian cities, which will allow customers to experience the world of Monique Lhuillier.

Find out more about the celebrated international designer as she talks about designing, her career, and family in the October edition of Philippine Tatler. Available in digital magazine newsstands, Zinio and Magzter. |  Photography by Frank Hoefsmit | Art Direction by Anton San Diego | Hair & Make-Up by Sarah Uslan