Elie Saab's Botticelli beauties

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Elie Saab's models wafted down the runway in clouds of silk chiffon and tulle like angelic Botticelli beauties at his haute couture show for next autumn-winter on Wednesday.

Their hair up in chignons, with tendrils escaping, they looked as if they had stepped off a Renaissance fresco, which is what the Lebanese designer intended.

He acknowledged as his inspiration Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel for the muted palette of grey-blues, faded pinks and reddish purples like wine dregs.

Empire-line ballgowns with tightly ruched bodices in shot taffeta were dramatic. He emphasised waists with giant bows, built up shoulders with flounces or ran ruffles down bare backs to meet a floor-sweeping train.

More fragile tiered dresses in silk chiffon were...