NEW YORK - Fashion love was in the air on Monday for a few Minnesotans at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Jennifer Kline, a ShopNBC trend expert, and Kerry Ciardelli, owner of Victory, attended Monique Lhuillier's fall 2011 fashion show. One of the designer's two flagship boutiques is in Edina.

Look for a little bit of French style to land on France Avenue. Dawn Bromander, the Minnesota retail director for the label, noted that you really see Lhuillier's "French roots."

The dark and dramatic collection featured form-fitting silhouettes, dark jacquard fabrics, delicate black Chantilly lace, subdued cheetah prints and floaty feathers. Lhuillier is well-known for creating red carpet stunners, most recently seen on Catherine Zeta Jones at the Golden Globes. A deep scarlet, floral-embroidered ball gown drew gasps from the crowd.

"Happy Valentine's Day," said Ciardelli. "[Lhuillier] gave us a little present." Kline described the collection as "very sultry and Parisian chic," adding "lace is back in a big way."

SARA GLASSMAN