Elegant women with striking personalities inspire Lebanese designer, Elie Saab. ZUHAILA SEDEK writes.

Saab described his designs as elegant, glamorous and feminine.

Gorgeous gowns that accentuate a woman’s figure.

THE Elie Saab fashion show which showcased its autumn/winter Haute Couture Collection 2008 in Kuala Lumpur recently was mesmerising.

The fashion show was held as part of the Red Ribbon Gala, a biennial fundraiser event organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation. With the theme “Red Carpet Glamour”, the gala honoured those who have contributed in raising the awareness of HIV-related issues. Saab also donated a long red chiffon evening gown worth RM35,000 from his ready-to-wear collection to be auctioned during the event.

It was Saab’s first visit to Malaysia and he brought along over 50 spectacular designs.

The Lebanese designer, who designed Halle Berry’s 2002 Oscar dress, has proven that he is the next best thing in the fashion industry today.
Saab said his collection oscillates between powdery pink, plum and blue grey. “My designs are inspired by scenes of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment and a Renaissance tableau,” he said.

“Also the cutting is very important. I like to highlight a woman’s figure,” said Saab, who is based in Beirut. He described his designs as elegant, glamorous and feminine.

“The criss-crossed in velvet and taffeta ribbons and the bare backs are what I call an ode to femininity,” said Saab who described his autumn/winter collection as the Sistine Beauty. On where he gets his inspirations, Saab said he is inspired by elegant women with striking personalities.

The designer who has outlets in Beirut, Paris and Harrods in Britain, has worked with many Hollywood A-listers, including Beyonce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christina Aguilera, Teri Hatcher, Elizabeth Hurley and Marcia Cross.