SENSUAL SCULPTURAL SILHOUETTES

Elie Saab Haute Couture | Fall/Winter 2025/26 | Haute Couture Week collection, titled “La Nouvelle Cour,” was presented at Paris Couture Week and drew inspiration from the lavish, playful style of Marie Antoinette and Sofia Coppola’s film “Marie Antoinette”. The collection features voluminous, sculpted silhouettes in a “macaron box” of pastel colors like pink, pistachio, and mint, with rich materials such as French lace and jacquards. The aesthetic combines 18th-century romance and volume with a modern, youthful edge, contrasting the show’s opening with sophisticated, corseted black velvet designs.

The collection paid tribute to Marie Antoinette through dreamy shades of pink, pistachio, mint, and meringue. These sweet hues were threaded throughout the collection, infusing each piece with a sugary charm. The designer successfully blended nostalgia with contemporary flair, showcasing his mastery in crafting couture that transcends time and trends.

It’s interesting to note that Elie Saab’s design process for his haute couture collection was influenced by Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film “Marie Antoinette.” The movie, which starred Kirsten Dunst as the titular character, presented a unique and anachronistic take on the life of the ill-fated French queen.

Saab’s decision to rewatch the film likely provided him with fresh inspiration and insight into the colors, costumes, and overall aesthetic of the era, as well as Coppola’s distinct vision. This inspiration is evident in the collection’s pastel color palette, which was inspired by a box of macarons, as revealed by the film’s Oscar-winning costume designer, Milena Canonero, during a Cartier masterclass conversation with Coppola.

The connection between Saab’s collection and “Marie Antoinette” demonstrates the power of cinema to influence fashion and design, as well as the importance of cross-disciplinary inspiration in creating innovative and memorable works of art.

“We wanted to revisit that era because young women love it — the eccentric styles and dramatic volumes,” he said. The minimalist moment is over, he declared. “After all the simpler things before, now they really want pieces with new volumes, with a truly exceptional flair. As we explored volume it really helped to give longevity to that era,” said Elie Saab.

Elie Saab’s haute couture collections are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, luxurious materials, and innovative techniques. In his recent collections, Saab has showcased his dedication to sourcing fabrics from France, including delicate lace from Lyon and lightweight jacquards. By employing antique techniques and layering these airy materials, he has created dramatic and voluminous designs.

Furthermore, Saab has mastered the art of creating texture through overlay and appliqué techniques, which add depth and dimension to his elegant foundations. This attention to detail and commitment to using the finest materials is what sets Elie Saab’s haute couture collections apart, making them highly sought after by fashion connoisseurs and collectors alike.

The collection in question masterfully blends opulence and attitude, redefining glamour with sculptural silhouettes and sensuous details. Embracing the richness of velvet and the allure of French corsetterie, the designs create a seductive atmosphere that celebrates both elegance and strength.

The corsets in this collection are versatile, with some adorned in luxurious ebony velvet, others crafted into metallic works of art, and yet others embellished with cascading lace. Each piece is a showstopper, designed to accentuate the body and exude a subtle yet irresistible seduction.

This unique fusion of opulence, attitude, and sensuality results in a captivating collection that pushes the boundaries of traditional glamour and encourages wearers to embrace their own strength and beauty with a playful, alluring edge.

The artistry of drape becomes a language unto itself, where each fold tells a story of movement suspended in time. Gossamer layers catch light like captured moonbeams, transforming the wearer into a living sculpture that breathes with ethereal grace. These are not mere garments but vessels of transformation, where the boundary between dream and reality dissolves into something altogether more enchanting. The fabric becomes an extension of the soul, flowing with the wearer’s every gesture in a dance of perpetual poetry.

Elie Saab’s designs cater to the modern woman’s desire to leave a lasting impression, transcending the mere act of being seen. The designer understands that true allure is born from the delicate balance between revelation and mystery, creating a captivating tension that lingers in the memory.

Saab’s masterful blend of opulence, sensuality, and strength in his collections empowers women to embrace their unique beauty and exude confidence. By balancing the overt with the subtle, the bold with the delicate, and the modern with the timeless, Elie Saab creates pieces that are both unforgettable and empowering.

The allure of Elie Saab’s designs lies not only in their visual appeal but also in the way they make the wearer feel—strong, beautiful, and in control. For the modern woman seeking to make a lasting impression, Saab’s creations offer an irresistible blend of style, seduction, and self-assuredness.