Runway Report: Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week--Elie Saab

Baby Got Couture Back

Ice, Ice Baby: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Elie Saab is criticized for making collections that are safe and often repetitive. Often you could interchange one season for another and not really tell the difference. This collection is no exception in that Saab sticks to his trademark of sending out beautifully crafted gowns and cocktail dresses that look as if they are floating down the runway.

I, for one, have no problem with his aesthetic and I am sure his many clients in Dubai and China don't mind it either. Yes, while watching the video you do get a bit glassy eyed from all the continuous hand beaded concoctions, but the House of Elie Saab is certainly giving all there couture clients (and Red Carpet Actresses) plenty of options, and letting them feel comfortable that their dress will be unique from the others.

Ballerina Chic: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

For Fall/Winter 2011 (Yes, this is Saab's version of Fall! No fur and wool for this client!) there were a few themes that stood out in the collection. Elie made the beading lighter and more transparent with breathtaking beading on the most delicate chiffon that he draped and pleated across the body. Also, there was a Ballerina feel to his cocktail dresses with short skirts that were pleated and full. This might be a Fall/Winter 2011 Haute Couture trend alert.

Caplet Queen: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Probably the most standout trend of the collection was the open backs on many of the dresses. Unfortunately not apparent in the photos (make sure to watch the video below), the gowns and cocktail dresses had stunning backs that were completely open, delicately draped or open with delicate shear caplets.

Below are more looks from the collection:

Bronze and Beaded: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Blouson Couture: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Blue Shear: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

One Shoulder Goddess: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Click below to watch the entire Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011 Runway Show:

Royal Fashion Minute: Princess Beatrice Hires Stylist

Beatrice The Fashionista...

Beatrice and The Hat, at William and Kate's Royal Wedding-pre-stylist

It was just announced that our dear Princess Beatrice--yes, the one of THE famous Philip Treacy hat at the William & Kate Royal Wedding has hired a stylist!! According to the Daily Mail, she has hired Charlie Anderson, who is represented by Naked Artists (and they confirmed the news by the way) Not sure why--personally, I think she was doing just fine. Supposedly, it had a lot to do with "The Hat" incident, but to tell you the truth A) I LOVED the hat and B) I think she looked FAB in that Valentino Haute Couture coat-dress ensemble. I think she "stole the show" that day (besides Pippa of course!). So, I'm at a loss as to why she would need to hire one. Also, she doesn't really work, so how can she afford to....hire a stylist? And one who charges 1,500 Pounds ($2,400) a day. Her father, Prince Andrew is footing the bill, one assumes.

Gown Perfect: Princesses Beatrice (left) and Eugenie (right) with mom, Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, White Tie And Tiara Ball

Anderson happens to be actress Emma Watson's stylist (as well as others) and is very connected with all the top fashion designers. One of her first assignments was to style Beatrice for the White Tie And Tiara Ball hosted by Sir Elton John.

$117,000 Perfection: Princess Beatrice in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Haute Couture

The Princess wore a blush-colored, completely hand-beaded gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2011 Collection priced at 73,000 Pounds--approximately $117,000 (yes kids, THAT'S what a COUTURE Gown costs!!). As you tell from the above, the gown was probably THE actual Runway sample (look how LONG it is on Beatrice!) since designers don't really make several samples of their Haute Couture gowns that cost over $100,000.

Beatrice's Elie Saab Spring 2011 Haute Couture Gown--on the runway

It will be interesting to see how much more of a "Fashion Gal" Princess Beatrice will be now that she has hired a stylist...Time and more Red Carpet events, will tell...

Red Carpet Report: Beaded and/or Backless Gowns

BACKLESS + Beaded = GORG!

Recently, lots of actresses, models, your "Usual Red Carpet Subjects" have been GIVING Backless and/or Full-on Beaded on the Red Carpet--here are some examples--including one from my own NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection...

Sequined Hilary: Hilary Swank in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture at the 2011 International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto Canada over the weekend. Why Toronto for the International Indian Film Academy Awards, you might ask? Well, kiddies, according to this, the Greater Toronto area has the second largest population of people of Indian descent in NORTH AMERICA!!!! Yep! Moving on...Miss Swank is wearing an absolutely stunning gown from the Lebanese designer's Haute Couture Collection--which means that EVERY single one of those beads was applied BY HAND and so were the seams that were sewn. NO machines darlings. That's why this gown would probably cost around $100,000 if you were to order it. It's a good guess Miss Hilary got it for free--lent that is...

Silver Goddess: Victoria's Secret Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Naeem Khan at the Germany Premiere of Transformers 3. Naeem has been in the news as of late because the US First Lady, Michelle Obama just LOVES wearing his designs. He is an American Fashion Designer of Indian origin who has a very good business creating evening gowns. Love the cap sleeves, love the back train, well done! It's both chic, and UBER glamorous. I also adore that side-knot-twisted hairstyle.

Spanish actress Paz Vega at the Shanghai Film Festival in an all-over sequined backless gown featuring long fitted sleeves and (gasp!) shoulder pads! (yes, ladies, they are back...and have been for a while!). Interesting that when I looked at the photo on the right--doesn't it look as if the back of her gown just came undone? Or it's about to. Or maybe, it was hooked way beyond the edge of the back closure....who knows. (sorry too much "Fashion Terminology"). I still LIKE it. Fits her well, the oversized paillettes are great, good job Paz.

She Loves a Mini: Cameron Diaz in Emilio Pucci Fall 2011 at the Moscow Premiere of Bad Teacher. All over sequins in gold and black work well with Cameron Diaz. And she loves a mini--16-18" below her natural waist seems to be her favorite hem length. I do like that the rest of her is covered--the three-quarter sleeves the bateau neckline.

Finally...there's model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2011: My NIKOLAKI Co-Designer David Paul and I just love this gown and because it fits this blog's "Category", of course, we had to add it!!! No one has worn it yet and many, many actresses and stylists have "pulled this dress" but no one has used it yet--maybe there's still time for a FAB Red Carpet Moment for this gown...

64th Annual Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Report: Le Divas-- A Fashion Report Card!

Cannes Queens:


Penelope Cruz in Marchesa Fall 2011: Attending the Premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in a lavender colored embroidered silk tulle Marchesa gown from one of my favorite collections from that design firm. We saw actress Rachel McAdams, during the Opening Ceremonies and "Midnight In Paris" Premiere, also wearing a gown from the same collection. Penelope looked stunning--as usual. Her hair, pulled-back with only bangs showing was perfect for "topping off" this gown. She loves a "Mermaid/Flamenco" silhouette and this was a new way of showing this. The simple drop earrings and small clutch finish the look impeccably. Olé!
Grade: A

Soonam Kapoor in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Haute Couture: Attending "The Artist" Premiere at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Indian Bollywood actress Soonam Kapoor became an instant COUTURE DIVA at the Cannes Film Festival, wearing this silk organza with MAJAH Horsehair hem detailed ivory-and-black gown from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2009 Haute Couture Collection--from two years ago. Since probably no one actually ordered this hand-made gown--it makes sense to get it out of the Gaultier Couture Archives and have it be worn...One word: WORK!
Grade: A.

Li Bingbing in Georges Chakra Spring 2011 Haute Couture: The beautiful Chinese-born actress wore an Haute Couture (one-of-a-kind/hand-made) creation from Lebanese fashion designer Georges Chakra attending "The Artist" Premiere. It was a strapless "Princess Ball Gown" in baby-blue tulle with original torso and bustier applique. This gown could easily have gone into Disney and Quinceañera mode, but it still somehow, did not.
Grade: B.

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009: Attending the "Polisse" Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Chinese-born actress and singer Fan Bingbing has quickly positioned herself to be the Cannes Red Carpet DIVA!!! Here, she wore a white Elie Saab Fall 2009 Haute Couture Gown from one of my favorite collections from this Lebanese fashion designer. The elongated and VERY exaggerated lace re-embroidered sleeves are FABU-licious!!! No need to eat with this gown (can you imagine getting one of those sleeves in your mushroom soup!), it's all about stepping onto the Red Carpet, posing and SERVING IT to them!!! The only thing she--and/or her stylist--did wrong: The earrings and necklace. They were SO not needed. Therefore...
Grade: A-

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2011: Oh Fan, you are my new Red Carpet Obsession! Either you have a FAB stylist with LOTS of connections, or your PR Department is working OVERTIME, but seriously, you have become a COUTURE DESIGNER'S new "Wet Dream". Here is Chinese-born actress/singer Fan Bingbing (and new-found fashionista muse!) attending the "Wu Xia" Premiere in a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 ombre silk "Mermaid" gown. It's a GORGEOUS gown but something happened from her hotel limo ride to the red carpet--and the wrinkles show it! It's very difficult to keep silk Habotai pressed darlings. Hand-held steamer anyone?
Grade: B-

Fan Bingbing in Versace Atelier Spring 2011: Attending "The Artist" Premiere, my new favorite girl, Fan Bingbing wore a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 purple ombre strapless bustier and crinkled organza ruffle gown. Since the gown itself--estimated at about $50,000 if she were actually to buy it--is so "Costume-y" and reminiscent of the late 19th/early 20th Century, I would have advised her to do a more modern hairstyle (like in the Look Book Photo above). But she didn't, and therefore , it sort of threw her entire look off, and made her look almost--dowdy.
Grade: B-

Fan Bingbing in Chris Bu Kewen: Finally, during the Opening Ceremony Red Carpet earlier in the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Miss Fan Bingbing wore a red silk printed strapless gown with a Watteau back designed by her stylist, Chris Bu Kewen. It's very Christian Dior by John Galliano "Madama Butterfly" Spring 2007 Haute Couture Collection, and therefore: I LOVE it! This is the first "Cannes Red Carpet Impression" lots of "Who-is-Fan-Bingbing" folk got of her, and well, WOW: That's a great First Impression!
Grade: A.

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011: Elie Saab

Sweet Saab Divas...

Chartreuse (Young) Lady: Side-draped gown, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Lebanon-born Paris and Beirut-based designer, Elie Saab sent out a sweetly beautiful Haute Couture Collection, featuring one perfect Oscar Red Carpet gown after another (take note Actresses!). It was a "new" Elie Saab woman: Less Halle Berry, more Scarlet Johansson; sweeter, not so "fierce" (well, those shoes were!) and more delicately made-up (hair, make-up). His Middle Eastern girls getting ready to "debut" at the next Crillon Ball should be ready to put their orders on one of those $50,000+ creations as we speak!

Tulle Shoulders: Blush-colored Organza-appliqued gown with covered shoulder mini-puffy raglan sleeves, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Trends: Fitted/defined waist; flowy gowns; appliqué/embroideries; SLITS/split-fronts; beading/sequins EVERYWHERE; SLEEVES on gowns; COVERED SHOULDERS on gowns; Silhouette: Fitted torso, loose from the waist.
Colors: BLUSH, lipstick red, lilac, off-white, black, yellow-green.

Themes: Elie Saab "Stomping DIVA" turns "Sweet Sixteen"; Late 19Th century/Early 20Th Century Socialite; Great Expectations' Mrs. Havisham (above), but in her younger years; Oscars Red Carpet GALORE!! Safe and Demurely sexy.

Highlights from Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

Shoulder Girl: Cowl-draped shoulder-covering sequined gown, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Arizona Lilac: Model-of-the-moment Arizona Muse in split-front silk chiffon lilac-colored gown, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Lady In One-Shoulder Red: One shoulder Lipstick red silk chiffon gown, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Oscar Dress: Strapless all-over beaded gown with very high center front slit opening, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Le Mariage: Finale Wedding Gown, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Click Below for Edited Video of Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

Paris Haute Couture "Unique" Gowns: What you Might Not See at the Emmy's Red Carpet!

Haute Couture Creative "What Is That?":
Haute Couture is all about one-of-a-kind creations meant for a rarefied few--either Top actresses who can borrow them for free to wear for Red Carpet events (to get the Designer some publicity) or the 400 or so (yep, that's all!) women from all over the world who can afford to fork up $30,000 for a pantsuit or $100,000+ for a gown. As in any type of fashion, there is a wide spectrum of designs ranging form the sublime and elegant to the "Are You Kidding Me?". Understandingly, a lot of Haute Couture is about designers having "no limits"; going "crazy" as it were and having no limits. With that being said, here are my "Nick Top Picks" for "I am not so sure about that...":
Eric Tibusch, a Parisian--by way of French Polynesia--designer who worked with Jean Paul Gaultier, showed a collection for Fall/Winter 2010 that had Reptilian suggestions. Check out those rhinoceros headdresses. Even if you remove those, the ensembles still do not get any better, unfortunately. The light aqua embroidered lace cocktail dress above would certainly prevent you from eating that Caesar Salad you desire at that fabulous cocktail party. I guess it's one way of staying thin.
Jean Paul Gaultier showed a fanciful collection--mostly good--but there were some missteps, that I doubt would make it to the Hollywood Red Carpet--or a party in Abu Dhabi for that matter, as seen by the photos above and below...
The dead fox is KILLING ME! And maybe not in a good way. The Drag Queens in my 'hood would love this, but well, that's about the extent of it.
John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010 did his part as well. I actually LOVE this voluminous violet coat-dress but again, not so sure if this would ever make it on Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, or even Dior perfume spokesperson Charlize Theron. The ensemble does give you DRAMA. Points for that.Not sure about this Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010 deep red silk velvet cowl draped gown as well. For the red carpet, you might see that cowl completely removed, then it might not end up in the "What Was She Thinking" section.
Finally, Chanel Fall/Winter 2010 Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld. The collection--for the most part--was amazing. But...then he showed this mess of a dress above. Bai Ling would be proud.

We'll see what makes it to the red carpet, and what does not!

Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2010: Elie Saab and Valentino

Cowl Heaven...and Classique Couture Shapes...
Cowl Wrapped: Elie Saab Haute Couture F/W 2010/11

Lebanese-born, Red Carpet-favorite Elie Saab showed his Fall/Winter 2010/11 Haute Couture Collection. It was very HEAVY, both in its fabrications as well as dramatic draping. But to me, Heavy in a good way. There's no mistake: It's Fall kids.Deep red velvets, muted silver organza, dark camel silk crepes, degrade chiffon and lots of hand-beading rounded out the color and fabrications he offered this season to the "Ladies Who Live and Lunch In Kuwait" who love their Elie Saab Haute Couture. Shapes ranged from exaggerated pleated structures, cowl drapes galore, one-shoulder Grecian Goddess gowns and a play on asymmetry.Fashion writer Tim Blanks of Style.com was not amused by the collection. But, I have to say: I kind of liked it! Yes, some of those gowns looked as if the models were drowning in them (as Tim Gunn would say: That's A LOT of Gown!) but...I'm a big fan of cowl draping, the "Grecian Goddess" motif, and lots of drama (what part of Nick Verreos did you not understand!). And of course, if you have a couple $100,000 to spare and are getting married and thinking against the "traditional" white satin gown...Well, this gray-silver ball gown above might be what you might want to be ordering. Besides, Queen Rania of Jordan, the Multi-Millionaire Brides-to-be LOVE themselves some Elie Saab, as we know.

Click Below for Elie Saab F/W 2010/11 Haute Couture Runway Show Edited:


Valentino Haute Couture:
For Fall/Winter Haute Couture 2010/11, Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli (above) decided to go "Vintage Couture". It was very 60's in a way, with 21st Century design nuances. Think Jackie O.-meets-Jessica Alba (who was in the front row). It was as if one was going through a "Valentino Archive Book" from the 60s--which, in a way is what the designers are most likely doing. The runway show began very "cagey" (see above) and then went 60's Valentino Couture.This black mini cocktail dress above with "exploding" organza rose is SO Valentino , SO Couture and yet, still SO modern. Also, it is very editorial and you just know Vogue Italia and Steven Meisel will EAT IT UP! The defining shape of the collection was definitely the trapeze off-the-body/Baby Doll shape and... The timeless "drop-waist". The Valentino Haute Couture F/W 2010/11 Collection showed LOTS of these latter styles, with ruffled bottoms that were cut right at the 16" below-the-natural-waist mark, which looked both "vintage" yet new (even if they seemed two sizes too big).
In case you are shopping for that Little Black Dress, look no further than Valentino Haute Couture. This one above was one of my favorites. Imagine being at a party in Capri in this fur-trimmed little number?Of course, being the House of Valentino, the designers had to end with a "Valentino Red" showstopper, and this red silk Gazar gown just about did it for me. If I was one of those ladies in the front row (or ordering from my beachfront home in the Seychelles), I would definitely order this one! Also, note to my friend Miss Heidi Klum: This would look GORGEOUS at any upcoming red carpet awards show! I'll have to call her and let her know...after I show her MY collection :)

Click below for a video of the Finale of the Valentino Haute Couture F/W 2010 Runway: