Monique Lhuillier On Safari?

Designer Draws Inspiration From Kenyan Fighters' Ornate Costumes, Masks

(AP)  Fashion certainly can make for strange bedfellows, like Monique Lhuillier and the Masai warriors.

Photos: Fashion Week Opens

As she debuted her new spring styles during New York Fashion Week on Thursday, the petite Los Angeles-based designer, who specializes in eveningwear and bridal, said she has long been drawn to the Kenyan fighters and their ornate costumes and masks. The inspiration led to a largely safari-themed collection in sunburned shades of yellow, rust and brown.

Photos: Those popular Animal Prints

One of her favorite pieces is a black strapless A-line dress scattered with embellishment that looks like matchsticks. "It feels really organic," explained Lhuillier from the boardroom of the auction house Christie's, where she staged her presentation.

Fringe played a major role in the overall look, but it wasn't flapper fringe. Long, heavy strands of silk jersey fringe created an aura of seduction, especially on a black one-shoulder gown with a peekaboo sleeve and corded-tie waist. Another sexy dress was a black fringe cocktail dress, topped by a burnished gold embroidered bolero that showed little skin but the sheerness of the fabric made you feel as if you did. A corded belt emphasized the waist.

Actually, the many corded waists were a bit reminiscent of Greek goddesses.

But Lhuillier went back to the Masai for inspiration with a leopard-print trench coat, a macrame neckline on a yellow halter cocktail dress covered in fringe, and a tiger-pattern sequin chiffon dress with a cowl neckline.