Despite it being the last day of Fashion Week and despite the media being exhausted from a week of shows, nothing can close out Paris Fashion Week quite like an Elie Saab show. It should come as no surprise that each collection season Mr. Saab’s creativity illuminates just as brilliantly as those dazzling sequined gowns he masterfully designs. While you can expect the usual red carpet luxury, he is, after all, one of the main designers for stars during awards season, this time around the collection, Color Shock, put forth a refreshing spin on his signature refined and elegant looks. Dousing the models in monochromatic looks of mustard yellow, dusty peach, emerald green and Klein blue, Saab showed off a more dramatic, yet directional approach. There was the usual triple-dipped glittery dresses, precisely cut thigh-high slits and expertly crafted embellishments , which we have all come to know and love, but it was the clever details, like pussy bows, full length skirts, narrow belts, bold color choices and, perhaps most importantly, perfectly executed tailoring, that showcased the progression of his design aesthetic. Delicate lace was the counterpart to intricate pleating and barely there seams. The ethereal chiffon floating down the runway was complimented with a more relaxed, 70’s silhouette. Modern twists to suiting, such as lace inserts and graphic cut-outs, added dimension to daywear; whereas, evening wear was literally exploding with sequins, a glamorous and classic look only Elie Saab can deliver.
Scoring the last show of Paris Fashion Week might appear to be a bad spot for a designer of this status. But after the catalog of runway shows seen over the course of the week, each deserving of their own praise, it’s almost appropriate to end with Elie Saab. The purity and elegance of his shows are a delightful reminder that when ingenuity and fashion design fuse together, the result is an alliterative description befitting of the style, aesthetic and creative design that has become the hallmark of Elie Saab’s creations– simply stunning.
