Elie Saab

Stella McCartney: Sporty with a side of squiggly. Stella McCartney’s Fall show had that laid back appeal that’s been so pervasive this season, but she spiced it up with 3D golden, curvy lines that embellished everything from overcoats and pantsuits to knit sweaters and mini dresses. Then there were the unembellished knit pieces with extra sleeves that came from the bottom and tied around one shoulder—they were so cozy you might consider sleeping in them. On the fringe front, one sweatshirt top and long skirt in black and green fringed detail was particularly cool. It was the shibori tie dyed like a navy and white trench coat or a cherry red and burgundy sweater dress that felt pointedly fresh—quite a feat given that the season is nearly wrapped, so trends are already overwhelmingly clear. The show closed with a series of draped fringed mini dresses plus a few evening pantsuit looks like a tube top draped with green fringe worn with stirrup pants. You’ve got to love that McCartney can revitalize the tube top and stirrup pants and actually make it look cool again. Then there were the shoes, which were such standouts, they almost became a focal point. We imagine many an editor will be seen in these come Fall.

Elie Saab: A pristine march of pastels ruled Saab’s Couture runway, rife with soft shades of lavender, pale blue, and rosy pinks. Tastefully executed embellishments and embroidery (often of the floral variety) and a tempered dose of sparkle reiterated why Saab is a tapis rouge go-to. The decidedly feminine silhouettes included high-necked, long-sleeved numbers, tinged with demure sex appeal thanks to the sheer factor, and empire waists that lent an easy wearability to the fanciful frocks. Did it all feel a bit dreamy, painterly, and rather Roman goddess-esque? No wonder, considering Saab culled inspiration from Dutch artist Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, who painted lovely, quietly luxe tableaus of lasses in the 1800s.

Lebanon’s burgeoning fashion talents are getting some support from Elie Saab: The designer has joined forces with the London College of Fashion and the Lebanese American University to bring a new program to Beirut. The freshly-minted degree is called the ‘Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design in collaboration with Elie Saab”, and the first batch of students to enroll will begin the program in September 2014. Saab is upping the style-training ante in his native Lebanon via the degree, which strives to be “both relevant to Arab culture and international in scope,” according to a statement.

Who is joining the ranks of Diane von Furstenberg, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix? Elie Saab, the latest designer to put his spin on the Evian bottle. Evian’s fashionable collab has been going steady for six years. Saab, whose sleek evening gowns are beloved by those on the Oscar and Golden Globes circuits, graced the glass bouteille with lace flourishes and intricate details.

It was the height of haute earlier this week at Elie Saab’s cocktail party at the uber chic Four Seasons Hotel on the Georges V in Paris. Walking into the courtyard, guests mingled beneath a hanging canopy of flowers, the lush space dotted with three emerald green sequined Haute Couture downs that were highlighted on a stage. The effect? Sort of like walking into an episode of Robin Leach’s Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous”. The room was filled with Saab’s swanky couture clientele, many of whom had flown in for his show and his alone. Chicsters like Clotilde Courau, Karmen Pedaru, Olivia Palermo, Stacy Keibler, and Toni Garrn were on site for the occasion. Fun fact! Saab is reportedly the most profitable designer on the couture circuit.

Home Décor Extraordinaire, Jonathan Adler, Tries His Hand At Accessory Design [New York Times]
His namesake stores will sell totes and ties alongside sofas and vases…Rodarte Captures Their Spring/Summer 2013 Collection With A Fantasy Film [Telegraph]
The far out film stars Elijah Wood and model newbie Sidney Williams…Become A Real Life Disney Princess With These Pricey Designer Gowns [Refinery 29]
The likes of Oscar de la Renta and Elie Saab have designed gowns after the iconic princesses, to be auctioned at Christies.

It’s clearly shaping up to be Karmen Pedaru’s month! The Estonian beaut is not only fronting Elie Saab’s new campaign, but she’s got herself a cover of Russian Vogue for the scrapbook.

In true couture tradition, Elie Saab presented a bridal dress for the last look of his collection. The bride du jour is ready for her multi-million dollar wedding, which is probably the same number of crystals that are sewn onto her gown. Mr. Saab thoughtfully provided three bridesmaids, decked out in sparkly column dresses, to carry the train of this ginormous number.

There’s something so Herb Ritts about this shot of Cindy Crawford on the cover of the June issue of Harper’s Bazaar Spain. Alas, it was Nagi Sakai who took the shot of the legendary mod in Hollywood. Cindy’s wearing a black and white dress by Elie Saab. Nice.