If you’re not familiar with fashion brand Mônot, you’re about to be. The chances are you’ve seen the label’s looks on some of your favourite celebrities as the daring cutouts synonymous with the brand have become must-wear red carpet attire. Dua Lipa, Simone Ashley, Maya Jama, and JLo, to name a few, are fans, while its recent spring/summer 23 show at Paris Fashion Week brought all the drama. Despite still being in its infancy, debuting with a spring/summer 2019 collection, very few brands have blasted through the glass ceiling in the same way as Lebanese designer and head of Mônot, Eli Mizrahi.
While many designers moved to more modest and muted designs, Mizrahi ran, seemingly at breakneck speed, in the opposite direction, creating the “near naked” dress -and that’s exactly what has put Mônot firmly on the fashion map. “The female form is something to celebrate,” he tells POPSUGAR, adding how the designs are inspired by sleek simple architecture, prompting them to follow a structure of clean modern lines and cutouts.
“Every woman is unique, and my philosophy to creating the perfect “near naked” dress has a lot to do with design and silhouette. Keeping a solid colour block for an entire dress, whether it be black or a statement colour like red,” he adds. “There is something sharp to a form-fitting silhouette with clean line cutouts that makes showing skin in fact seem elevated.”
While Mônot feels as though it burst onto the scene at the right time, Mizrahi didn’t just spring up overnight. After moving to New York from Lebanon at the age of 13 as a political refugee, he absorbed as much as he could from working in the fashion industry, both on a business and creative level. “I have been in the industry for a while as a consultant to various brands, and through that work I got to learn the ins and outs of how a brand should operate at base level,” he says.
While the daring designs certainly grabbed attention, there was one particular celebrity who catapulted the brand to global fame: Zendaya. Opting for a white timeless two-piece for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2019 was a “surreal moment”, according to Mizrahi. When pressed on his favourite looks, Mizhari cryptically confides that it’s the controversial dress that Kendall Jenner wore to her friend Lauren Perez’s wedding. “Each of my looks are special in their own way,” he says. “A favourite look would have to be look 34 of the Spring Summer 22 collection. The high amount of cutouts gave it a fearless look which allows any woman wearing it to feel confident.”
With such an A-list client list, who is yet to adorn the Mônot aesthetic? Mizhari has his sights set on Adele! “I personally find her a very inspiring voice and example for young girls everywhere,” he reveals. So, Adele, if you’re reading this, consider this our petition.”My message is to be confident in yourself and believe anything is possible. Always step out of your comfort zone and be brave enough to take risks,” Mizhari shares. “Showing more skin and more of yourself is a sign of confidence and celebration for the body you live in and the mindset you have in life.”
Read ahead to see some our favourite celebrities bringing sexy back in Mônot designs, and take it as inspiration to embrace your inner confidence, too.
Getty / David Livingston
Simone Ashley wearing Mônot
At Netflix’s “The Gray Man” premiere in July, Ashley donned a bondage-style Mônot dress that fast became one of our favourite Ashley looks. Styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray, the fashion brains behind Florence Pugh’s “Don’t Worry Darling” Valentino black gown, Ashley worked the midaxi dress perfectly. A simple silver watch was added to let the dress do all the talking as the ultimate conceal-and-reveal ensemble stole the show.
Getty / Karwai Tang
Maya Jama wearing Mônot
Looking seriously sexy, Maya Jama’s Brit Awards 2022 look certainly turned heads for all the right reasons. The torso-bearing two-piece was styled by Kyle De’Volle, the star’s regular stylist, who paired it with Bvlgari jewels, Mach and Mach embellished shoes, and a fuzzy shawl to beat the evening chill. Low-slung on her hips, the zig-zag cutouts gave the whole outfit a modern feel while Jama’s floating eyeliner ticked the ultra-cool beauty trend, too.
Getty / Gareth Cattermole/amfAR
Cara Delevingne wearing Mônot
Less focused on crazy cutouts and more on a sleek silhouette, Delevigne’s Mônot look for the amfAR Gala in Cannes back in May was as edgy as it was exciting. Chunky black platforms extended her legs while a thin silver chain accentuated the deep, plunging, asymmetric neckline. Angular shoulders, maxi length, and a thigh-high split all added to the drama.
Getty / Pierre Suu
Doja Cat wearing Mônot
Doja Cat opted for a bandage dress to sit front row at the Mônot Paris Fashion Week show. While the ‘fit may have been slightly overshadowed by her blue and white face paint, there’s no denying the singer oozed confidence in the look. The full-coverage of the maxi skirt bottom was offset by the strips of fabric at the top that she paired with opera gloves.
Instagram user @kendalljenner
Kendall Jenner wearing Mônot
Modelling Mizrahi’s favourite look, Jenner’s near naked dress was certainly a wedding guest look like no other. Opting for the gorgeous gown to friend Lauren Perez’s nuptials, it’s a far cry from the usual floral frocks worn to weddings. Oozing confidence, Jenner posted a video in the look alongside Hailey Bieber and all we can say is, wow!
Getty / Emma McIntyre
Jennifer Lopez wearing Mônot
Opting for a Mônot dress to accept her Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards 2022, JLo proved yet again that she is a fashion icon. Styled by long-time stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, the star stepped onto the red carpet in a leather-look corset with intense plunging neckline paired with a sleek maxi skirt. The contrasting fabrics gave it an edgy feel while the loose waves in her hair were the perfect accompaniment.
Getty / Aaron J. Thornton
Halle Bailey wearing Mônot
“The Little Mermaid” star Bailey brought the heat for the BET Awards red carpet. Exposed hips and a corset-style top struck the perfect balance, while the plunging neckline certainly brought sexy back. A simple gold necklace and bangles finished off the look.
Getty / Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR
Nina Dobrev wearing Mônot
Breaking up the little black dresses, Dobrev chose to step out in top-to-toe red. Adhering to Mizrahi’s penchant for single colour silhouettes, this choice for the amfAR Gala in May 2022 strikes the balance between sexy and refined. Styled by Kate Young, who also looks after Selena Gomez, the punchy red number featured one sleeve with glove attached making for an asymmetric look of dreams. The teardrop cutout on the chest ramps up the sex factor as Dobrev added elegant earrings, choker, and clutch bag.
Getty / Kevin Mazur
Dixie D'Amelio wearing Mônot
From TikTok to trendsetter, D’Amelio and her sister Charli have quickly climbed the style stakes to become some of the best dressed celebrities on the red carpet. Wearing Mônot to the MusiCares Person of the Year honouring Joni Mitchell, this LBD was anything but basic. Styled by Jill Jacobs, the creative mind behind most of the sister’s looks, the opera gloves added an element of elegance.
Getty / BET Awards 2020
Lizzo wearing Mônot
Lizzo‘s Mônot gown sent the world into a fashion frenzy. Accepting the Best Female R&B / Pop Artist BET Award at the virtual awards in 2020, volume and structure were the name of the game. Lizzo’s dress separates itself from the rest thanks to the wonderful white frill across the shoulder in that typical asymmetric style we’ve come to love.
Getty / John Shearer
Zazie Beets wearing Mônot
The Vanity Fair Oscars Party is one of the best places to spot some serious fits, and Beets did not disappoint at the 2022 event. The “Joker” actor added her own touch of style by wearing the monochrome number with a pair of bright red tights, sandals, and bag to really make the look pop.
Getty / Daniele Venturelli
Addison Rae wearing Mônot
Another TikTok star, and another Vanity Fair Oscars 2022 Party gown, this time worn by Addison Rae. While the corseted-style dress may not have left a lot of room to whip out the dance moves, it did wow the crowds. Subtly sexy, the strapless gown with mesh inserts highlighted an hourglass silhouette. While only a choker was added to complete the look, the finesse was impeccable.
Getty / PATRICK T. FALLON
Megan Thee Stallion wearing Mônot
Bringing Hollywood glamour to the 2022 Oscars afterparty, Megan Thee Stallion chose a cream Mônot gown with elegant train. The strapless style included a corseted top with hip cuotuts that she teamed with a sleek low bun hairstyle and drop earrings.
Getty / Michael Kovac
Saweetie wearing Mônot
Incredibly similar to Kendall Jenner’s killer look, Saweetie’s tied-up two-piece shot to the top of our Pinterest boards in March. Adding a touch of elegance through the gloves, this dress needed no accessories, with just a simple pair of strappy black sandals.
Getty / Brendon Thorne
Zendaya wearing Mônot
Taking Mizrahi from daring dress designer to red carpet wonder, Zendaya was the first celebrity to step out in Mônot at the GQ Men of the Year Awards back in 2019. Styled by Law Roach, one of the world’s biggest stylists dressing everyone from Megan Thee Stallion to Jennifer Hudson, Mizrahi shared with POPSUGAR how the two creatives worked together to create this classic look. Minimal, sleek, and modern, the two-piece was the height of sexy elegance.
Getty / Vittorio Zunino Celotto
Normani wearing Mônot
Singer Normani attended the spring/summer 23 Mônot show at Paris Fashion Week wearing a barely-there red dress with side panel cutout. Accentuated with a large bow on the hip, it was look to command attention. Pared with simple neutral heeled sandals and a diamond drop earrings, the overall look was, of course, red hot.
Getty / Pierre Suu
Shailene Woodley wearing Mônot
The “Big Little Lies” star took leg-bombing to a whole new level. Sitting front row at the Mônot spring / summer 23 show, Woodley’s sleek dress included a choker of fabric, asymmetric neckline and hip-high split.
