THE divide between love and lust can often be hard to distinguish, given the similar rush of emotions and physical response. This confusion is oddly an interesting model for observing the distinctions between haute couture and prêt-à-porter, when well executed. Couture can leave you breathless and impacts your imagination like high art; whereas prêt-à-porter is impetuous, making you reevaluate your wardrobe but in time is forgettable.
Love comes to mind when experiencing Elie Saab’s Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection. Undoubtedly, the Lebanese designer has perfected the art of evening wear, which makes his pieces a favourite pick for the Oscars red carpet.
But this SS17 collection, based on a narrative of an Arabian princess, was all prettiness and dreamy desire in a muted palette of nudes and blues with impeccable embroidery and enough sparkle to please any 8-year-old girl.
This time Saab also is catering to his high-end clientele, providing a deeper range of options, including trousers under elaborate jackets, sleeves of different lengths, covered décolletage, and, of course, trains fit for royalty.
For Hollywood queens, Saab also brought accessories with elegantly bejewelled sunglasses and glittery belts and earrings.
A big shout-out to the final model who stumbled but kept moving while wearing a sublime embroidered sheer wedding dress fitted with elaborate side panniers and a dramatic train.
by Jessica Quillin
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