Elie Saab Fall 2013 51

PARIS, Mar 7, 2013/ — Famous for his flounce and uber feminine silhouettes, couturier Elie Saab went for “Strictly Decorative” for her ready-to-wear collection as he dressed the Elie Saab woman with crêpe satin jumpsuit, high-waisted trousers and sheer silk chiffon blouses.

When before, you can always expect the epitome of femininity, today, there is a androgynous undercurrent in the collection, with elements of menswear evident everywhere.

Clean, strong lines announce themselves in the satin Smoking, while a black and white narrative mingles confidently among the volumes of matte fabrics and hues of navy, petrol blue and chartreuse yellow. Dresses are knee-length with a peplum defined waist.

The graphic lines, key to this season’s creations, happily yield, though, to the transparency and shapely cut-outs, or intricate, decorative flourishes embroidered in silk, mohair, velvet, broderie anglaise and sequins.

At night, a more feminine side comes out to play. Poured into delicate devoré, the ELIE SAAB woman transforms into a silver-screen icon.

Like slender vines, bands of lace wind suggestively around the body and underscore the transparency that reveals itself again.

[MARI DAVIS]
Photos courtesy of Elie Saab