This is a dedication to delicatesse by Elie Saab. He celebrated it so nicely by creating designs that offered a light and graceful mood by exploring degrees of transparency. Saab sprinkled his signature crystalline embroideries across fragile tulle and airy crinoline dresses, in hourglass and fishtail columns, and on new flaring Fifties shapes.
Everything was kept in a pale palette of ivory, pinks, icy blues and hot coral and spots of black. There were areas that were free of embroidery providing a clear view of the shoulders which were the designer's favorite body part of the season. Dense embroideries were clustered around the waists and trickled down to the hem of the skirts.
This collection is such a delightful display, full of wonderful confections that are perfect for the red carpet or for any other special occasion. One should not miss out in getting a dress that is an Elie Saab creation. The perfection of these dresses are most admirable because they speak of light and grace and delicatesse.
Elie Saab sent down elegant long, slinky, sumptuous and elegant black gowns that were lacey, transparent and sexy down the runway that are fit for his high end lady clientele. This just set the tone of what to expect from this designer for the fall/winter season.
An emphasis was put on the waist by pinching it in and offering some blousey silhouettes that were all encrusted with beads, sequins and embroidery. Some necklines and deep V-backs of some gowns were traced with beautiful delicate lace. A touch of neat braided hair and a great walk made a true power of elegance radiate throughout the show.
Turkey is the inspiration for Saab, with Ottoman motifs "infusing the collection with imperial splendor," he said. That he did for sure with a plethora of encrusted embroideries and giving a lightness with whispering Bospherous blues on some dresses and the faded carpet prints adorning others. Plenty of gold was sprinkled effortlessly on gowns, cocktail suits and coats.
A plunging sizzling gold number worn by the beautiful Karlie Kloss framed her waist with two crescent shapes which are symbols to the empire and Constantinople. Finally the bride with all her might carried the heavy brocaded gown and lengthy train and she gracefully did pull all of it with all her might. The gown was beautiful but may be a bit challenging to walk down the aisle. All in all this collection has many red carpet looks and is truly imperial and had all the wonderful touches that are perfect for anyone who wants to feel like a princess.
Elie Saab is a self taught guy. He taught himself to cut and make patterns and pretty much built a clientelle in his own neighborhood where he was growing up. At 18 he opened his couture atelier with 15 employees. A few months later he presented his first collection to a group of young women and soon developed a reputation for creating ultra feminine clothing, attracting women of high society who desired an Elie Saab dress.
In 1997 he was invited to present his collection at the prestigious Camera Nazionale della Moda as the only non-Italian designer among talented Italian designers. After three years of presenting his collection in Rome, he was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to present his collection as a guest in Paris.
In 2002 he opened his couture house in the eigth arrondessiment in Paris and gave the international clients an opportunity to order his fine designs.
Then in 2005 Saab opened his couture how right in the heart of the reconstructed downtown area of Beirut. It is a five floor building which houses his atelier, design studio, ready to wear line, couture and bridal salon. This is perfect for the middle eastern clientelle that can go to Beirut rather than Paris if it is a convenience for them.
Many celebrities wear his beautiful couture on the red carpet all over the world.
One of the most memorable ones was the one that Halle Berry wore when she won the Oscar in 2002.
His clientelle keeps growing which indicates that there is a demand for an Elie Saab dress.
His Spring Haute Couture 2011 collection presentation was a wonderful parade of dresses, layered and textured with lace, flowers, embroidery and beading that were intertwined with the chiffons, sliks and organzas. Each dress was draped to flatter the feminine body and constructed to perfection, especially the bodices that were all sprinkled and punctuated with beading and embroidery. What definitely connot be unoticed is the regal wedding dress that is fit for a princessat the end of the presentation. This was a perfect indication of what his bridal salon will be offering according to his vision for brides.
This Spring Haute Couture should not be missed because it has all the ingredients that a woman of any age would enjoy through and through.
When fashion week is over, the expansion of the huge buzzy and busy creative energy begins contracting or getting smaller in a good way because buyers, advertisers, editors, stylists and clients are all going back to look at every collection that was presented for Fall and come up with visions for stories for the season. Today was the last day to see what there is. What can they take with them?
The collection at Tilbot Runhoff showed a dressy collection that had dressy ensembles, dresses and gowns. Black, white, grey and a tiny bit of red were the colors. The Gowns of graphic designs made an impression. Elie Saab was an elegant collection presented in ivory, black, purple and red. Beautiful suits and dresses were done with simplicity and ease with a touch of polish. The gowns were stunning and some of them looked as if they were dipped in beads. A lovely collection by Saab. However, I think he held back a little. Maybe there was nothing wrong with that in an understated way because he did beautiful work.
At Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs offered a wonderful lineup of unique silhouettes of ample cut designs with exaggerated sleeves. They were done in many ways that the collection did not look monotone. A delight seeing the many variations of this vision was on everyone's faces. The french maid dresses were sexy and elegant and sauntered down the runway with demure seduction. There were printed dresses as well as dresses with big buttons in the center front. The suits were so innovative and done in a quite wonderful tactful way with inspiring fabric manipulation and textures. Fabulous skirts and tops that were cinched in the waist with wide belts showed off the body.
Yes, this collection demanded the attention from everyone. And everyone paid attention. By the way, the Louis Vuitton bags and accessories are to die or to live for!
Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2011
The amazing 1940's inspired collection that Miuccia Prada designed for Miu Miu set the tone with the astonishing designs that radiated a clear crisp sense of confidence and glamour. Pieces with exaggerated square or rounded shoulders reminded me of some suits that Joan Crawford wore in 'Mildred Pierce'. Some of the ensembles looked like suits that Hollywood stars wore in the 40's. Dresses were hugging the body elegantly and gave an air of sophisticated class and style. This collection looked mature and there is something for everybody. No doubt about that. By the way, I loved hearing Kate Bush singing in the background during the show.
