A sweeping art deco atmosphere defined Elie Saab's most recent Haute Couture presentation, with mannequins gliding down an opulent staircase accompanied by vintage jazz melodies. Fifty-seven ensembles—dreamy creations crafted from tulle, lace, satin, and silk—highlighted the designer's hallmark elongated proportions and cinched midsections. These pieces also functioned as backdrops for radiant silver and champagne-toned beadwork that evoked the celebrated geometric patterns synonymous with the art deco movement.
Titled "Paris est une fête" (Paris is a celebration), the lineup paid tribute to the City of Light during one of its most groundbreaking and jubilant eras: the 1920s. Mannequins sporting glittering cloche headpieces conjured the iconic style of Josephine Baker and Louise Brooks, both defining figures of the avant-garde Parisian scene that fueled Saab's creative direction for this season.
The fashion house's renowned embroidery techniques enriched every garment, lending sophistication and theatrical flair to the entire offering. Plumes of ostrich feathers embellished wrists, shoulders, and hemlines, propelling the dresses toward a pinnacle of feminine elegance. Lavishly adorned with beads, sequins, and gemstones, the daring geometric forms and botanical flourishes drawn from the art deco era adorned bodices, skirts, and sweeping trains. The embellishments reached their full visual power when set against black tulle, producing a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. Just a handful of black ensembles punctuated the lineup, which was primarily composed of soft pastel hues. A few standout pieces rendered in a richer coral rose tone proved equally unforgettable.
Capturing the spirited, liberated essence of the 1920s Parisian woman, this Haute Couture offering resurrected the exuberance of that golden age on the catwalk almost a hundred years on.
