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Previous Elie Saab Fibre Composition for similar bodysuit

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Previous Elie Saab Fibre Composition for similar bodysuit

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From the Archives

August 15 is 'marked on the calendar in red', I was informed by Olga Stinga one of my great sources in Sorrento, for Italian insight.1

﻿﻿

Ferragosto on August 15th, is Assumption Day, a national holiday. A day when offices, factories, many stores and restaurants are closed it also is the beginning of the exodus from the cities and towns for families not working in the tourist industry.

The month of August traditionally has been the month for vacanza, vacation, when Italians leave the cities for the cooler mountains, countryside and the sea. The Italians I lived among in Sorrento loved the sun. Before temperatures allowed coats to be left at home, the decks for the countless lounge chairs along the Marina Grande were being constructed. Bodies would fill each sun bed, cover the rocks in coves and grill on the stone beaches along the coast. The Italians love the sun.

For a perspective on small towns vs cities, I asked my Italian friends to tell me about August closings. "The practice of closing for the entire month (of August) is not common, perhaps because of the economic situation the last few years" Isabell Salesny, in Rome, tells me. "Any small retail activity, bars, pizza take aways, ice cream shops, close from the 15th to the end of august." "From June to the end of August, grandparents, stay at home moms and children are at the beach. Husbands visit on the weekends?" 2

Vacations may be shortened to a few days around Ferrogosto, 2 weeks or until school children return to the classroom in September.

﻿In smaller towns usually there is only one baker and one vegetable store, and in many cases one shop for both kinds of products, and of course the owner doesn't close." "Barber shops close for vacations, (my hair dresser closes for two weeks." 3
﻿﻿My translator, Caterina lives in Ravenna and shares that "the month long holiday is shrinking. Some services do not close: pharmacies, tourist attractions.

" the hardware store may close for a week or more, but here in Ravenna we have a mall and many supermarkets, where you can find everything while you wait until you favorite shop will open again."

Myra Robinson lives about an hour outside of Venice, is an author and an expat. She answered "how August closings affect daily life?" "Quite often local stores stagger their holidays so that there is always one barber's open etc. The little supermarket is suspending its continuous opening hours and will be closed from 1 to 3.30. I remember from last year that the (Saturday) market was somewhat diminished in July and August. The usual shoe stall and handbag stall were not there, but there was always a fish stall, green grocery etc whereas normally there would be two or three. 4

﻿Monica Cesarato my Venice authority: "yes they do, usually for a month in August - even in Venice, last night I saw an Osteria which was closing for a month from middle of July to middle of August.

But I have to say as the years go by I see more and more people not closing during the summer, due to the crisis."

"Lecce is always opened" declares Yle Sambati in Puglia.
"August is the month of holidays for many Italians: many of them go on holiday in

August at least mentally..unplugged for at least 20 days. It is the time of the year during which (you) forget about public offices or quick replies.......most of them say "" (this is hilarious right?), or "contact me after august ".

" And since Puglia is more than ever before, the TOP place for the Italians, they all head south.
Especially in the Salento - namely the trendiest part of Puglia - with its incredible beaches and summer places, services and facilities are available also in August except for FERRAGOSTO"

"In the past, the cities used to be empty in August since all the locals were on the beach or enjoying their summer houses. It's different now, In Lecce, for example, from the morning till very late at night you have people in town and many facilities available."

"The shops that close are mostly those outside the historic town, since this is the part of the town where most locals and tourists enjoy the DOLCE VITA, what in Lecce we call THE MOVIDA. Shops and facilities may close " PER FERIE" (summer holiday) and open up again after Ferragosto (August 15th) or for the Saint Patron Celebration (Festa di Sant'Oronzo August 24 - 26)".6

My new BF Tina with DND said: What Ferie?7

Buono Vacanze

Thank you to all my contributors from Italy for your input and willingness to answer my many odd questions.

1. Olga Sting Study Abroad Program Coordinator & Head of the Italian Department, Santa Anna Institute http://www.santannainstitute.com
2. Isabell Salesney, Estate Agent and co founder of Rome based, www.Casaitaly.it
3. Catterina for translations find her on Fiver.com as slam24
4. Myra Robinson, author of Fried Flowers and Fango, writer, expat: http://myrarobinson.info
5. Monica Cesato, http://www.monicacesarato.com, learn Italian, home stay, cooking adventures and Venice experiences not in the travel books.
6. Ylenia Sambati, owner of Yltour.com ( www.yltourcongressi.com). A travel concierge
who works to maker you dream of Italy come true.
7. Discover Naples Destinations, DND. A totally new way to travel and learn about Naples and it's surrounding treasures. http://www.discovernapolidestinations.com, ask for Tina

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From the Archives August 15 is 'marked on the calendar in red', I was informed by Olga Stinga one of my great sources in Sorrento, for Italian insight.1 ﻿﻿ Ferragosto on August 15th, is Assumption Day, a national holiday.

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Italy has officially fallen back into economic recession for the third time in a decade. The data published by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) showed that the third largest economy in the eurozone slid into recession in the last half of 2018, shrinking by 0.2% of its GDP in the final three months of the year. The third quarter of 2018 already displayed a decline of 0.1% and, according to a common definition, two quarters in a row of a declining economy are synonyms to recession.

Italy shrunk into recession for the first time since 2013, bringing bad news for the ruling coalition, formed by the rightwing League and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) since the economy has been in decline from the moment the populist government took office. Moreover, the worrying performances of the Italian economy are likely to tense even more the confrontation between Rome and Brussels, and ultimately bring turbulence within the euro zone.

The data is particularly concerning also because it marks Italy's exception in an environment where the general trend is quite different. Even if the 2018's growth rate has been the slowest recorded since 2014, the economies of the other euro zone members are, despite all, expanding. Eurostat, the EU statistics agency, reported that last year the euro zone grew on average by 1.8%, a significantly lower result than 2017's 2.3%, but still an outcome that highlights the gap between a developing context and the Italian case.

Last year witnessed a general slowdown across the continent. Germany, Europe's largest economy, suffered an unpredictable drop in car sales and exports that led to economic contraction. The difficulties within the car industry came from changes in emissions standards and are likely to be overcome soon, given the strength of the sector and the stability of the German economy. On the other hand, the Italian economic struggle comes from structural problems that are much more deep-seated.

Even more in contrast to the Italian situation, some euro zone economies grew even more than expected. It is the case of France and Spain, which rose 0.3% and 0.7% quarter-on-quarter respectively. France did so while it was hit with waves of mass protests over the country's economy, while Spain experienced a surprisingly strong economic development, higher than most EU countries.

The renewed recession in Italy might trigger uncertainty and vulnerability within the euro zone. The weakness of the Italian economy puts back at center stage the huge public debt of the country, which is persistently a cause of economic and financial trouble for both Rome and Brussels. Even if the size of the Italian economy should prevent a debt crisis as deep as the one Greece experienced, the accumulated debt and the inability of governments to reduce it makes it impossible for the euro zone to conclusively put to rest the risk of a crisis which it might not survive.

The confrontation between the EU institutions and the Italian populist government and the debate over Rome's finances are going to be aroused once more. If recession, as expected, will continue in 2019, it will be extremely unlikely for the country to reach the growth goals set by the League and the M5S, and the consistent spending planned by the government will be unsustainable. The 2019 Budget Law almost brought about sanctions over Italy, when the coalition was accused by Brussels of not respecting the common agreements of the monetary union, through excessive spending which was in contrast with the promises of balancing the budget.

Now, with data showing recession, the economic measures that the government wanted to implement seem even more irresponsible. The statistics have shown that there is not enough money to realize some of the projects both parties endorsed while campaigning, like the citizens wage or the pension reform. This situation either creates a problem with voters or deepens the conflict with Brussels. The parties at the government might not have the money to carry on with some projects they promised to be elected, which could put at risk their approval ratings. If they spend it anyways not to lose votes, they will have to respond to the EU and face repercussions.

A ccording to Oxford Economics, the recession "leaves a black mark on its populist government's early track record", even though deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio, head of M5F, said quite the opposite. Even though the data shows differently, Di Maio blamed the previous center-left governments for the recession, stating that they lied about bringing the country out of the crisis. Carlo Cottarelli, an Italian economist and former director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) strongly disagreed, explaining that the coalition in power since June, the moment the country started sliding into recession, was to be found responsible.

The fact that the government reacted to the economic recession by simply putting the blame external factor, like a general global economic slowdown or the EU's prohibitions on spending money to stimulate the economy, is not much for a reassuring element. Prime minister Giuseppe Conte condemned the trade war between China and the United States for the decline, fueling the narrative that finds adversary elements abroad instead of looking at a realistic picture of the country's state of economy, industry, services and institutions.

The second half of 2018 has been a time of political unpredictability, economic instability and social anxiety. This scene is part of a receding economy, a red flag for the whole euro zone and ultimately for Italians. Economic difficulties might easily put populist parties in a different light, shaking voters' faith in their demagogic solutions, but they could just as well fuel the radical nature of these movements, legitimizing their every move.

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Italy Falls Back Into Recession As The World Fears Global Economic Slowdown

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Italy has fallen back into recession, for the third time in a decade, as its GDP shrank by 0.2% in the last quarter of 2018. The news brings back worries on the country's huge public debt and triggers tensions in the euro zone.

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Italy Unemployment Rate | 1983-2020 Data | 2021-2022 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

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Italy's unemployment rate decreased to 6.3 percent in April of 2020, the lowest since November of 2007 and below market expectations of 9.5 percent, as the number of inactive people increased by 746 thousand to 14.578 million, its highest since November of 2011 due to the coronavirus crisis.

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A chronology of key events:

1861 - Italy becomes a nation-state under King Victor Emmanuel II.

1915 - Italy enters the First World War on side of Allies.

1919 - Italy gains Trentino, South Tyrol, and Trieste from Austria-Hungary under the post-war peace treaties.

1922 - Fascist leader Benito Mussolini forms government after three years of political and economic unrest, then establishes authoritarian system.

1935 - Italy invades Ethiopia.

1936 - Benito Mussolini forms an alliance with Nazi Germany.

1939 - Albania annexed.

1940 - Italy enters Second World War on German side. Italian forces occupy British Somaliland in East Africa.

1943 - Sicily invaded by Allies. Benito Mussolini overthrown, armistice signed with Allies. Italy declares war on Germany.

1945 - Benito Mussolini, who had been rescued from prison by Germans, is captured and executed by Italian partisans.

Towards European integration

1946 - Referendum votes for republic to replace monarchy.

1947 - Italy cedes land and territories under peace treaty.

1948 - New constitution. Christian Democrats win elections.

1951 - Italy joins European Coal and Steel Community.

1957 - Founder member of European Economic Community.

1972 - Giulio Andreotti becomes prime minister - a post he will hold seven times in 20 years.

1976-78 - Communist election gains lead to voice in policy making.

1978 - Former Prime Minister Aldo Moro kidnapped and murdered by left-wing armed group, the Red Brigades. Abortion legalised.

1980 - Bombing of Bologna station kills 84, linked to right-wing extremists.

1983 - Bettino Craxi becomes Italy's first Socialist prime minister since war.

1984 - Roman Catholicism loses status as state religion.

1991 - Communists rename themselves Democratic Party of the Left.

Corruption probe

1992 - Revelations of high level corruption spark several years of arrests and investigations.

Top anti-Mafia prosecutor, Giovanni Falcone, his wife and three bodyguards killed in car bomb attack.

1993 - Bribery scandal leads to Mr Craxi's resignation as leader of Socialist Party. He later flees the country, is tried and sentenced in absentia to imprisonment but dies in Tunisia in 2000.

1994 March - Freedom Alliance wins election. The coalition, which includes Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia, the Northern League and the neo-Fascist National Alliance, collapses by end of year following clashes with anti-corruption magistrates and a battle with trade unions over pension reform.

1995-96 - Lamberto Dini heads government of technocrats. Austerity budget.

1996 - Centre-left Olive Tree alliance wins election. Romano Prodi becomes prime minister.

1997 - Earthquakes strike Umbria region, causing extensive damage to Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. Four killed.

Berlusconi comeback

2001 May/June - A centre-right coalition, led by Silvio Berlusconi of the Forza Italia party, wins the general elections.

Berlusconi forms new coalition government which includes the leaders of two right-wing parties, Gianfranco Fini of the National Alliance and Umberto Bossi of the Northern League as well as the pro-European-Union Renato Ruggiero, who becomes foreign minister.

2001 Oct - First constitutional referendum since 1946 sees vote in favour of major change giving greater autonomy to the country's 20 regions in tax, education and environment policies.

2002 Jan - Euro replaces the lira.

Berlusconi in court

2003 November - Multi-billion euro fraud uncovered at Parmalat food-manufacturing giant. The company is declared insolvent.

2004 January - Constitutional Court throws out law granting Mr Berlusconi and other top state post holders immunity from prosecution. Mr Berlusconi's trial resumes in April, and he is cleared in December.

Italy's car manufacturer Fiat has made an impression on roads the world over

2005 April - Parliament ratifies EU constitution.

Prodi in, then out

2006 April - Centre-left leader Romano Prodi wins closely-fought general elections. He is sworn in as prime minister in May.

Italy's most-wanted man, suspected head of the Sicilian mafia Bernardo Provenzano, is captured by police.

2006 June - National referendum rejects reforms intended to boost the powers of the prime minister and regions. The changes were proposed during Silvio Berlusconi's premiership.

2006 August - Hundreds of Italian peacekeepers leave for Lebanon. Italy is set to become the biggest contributor to the UN-mandated force.

2008 January - A no-confidence vote forces Mr Prodi's government to resign.

Berlusconi back again

2008 April - Berlusconi wins general elections, securing a third term as prime minister after two years in opposition.

Media magnate and consummate survivor Silvio Berlusconi dominated Italian politics for decades
In pictures: Life in politics
2008 November - After posting two consecutive quarters of negative growth, Italy is declared to be officially in recession.

2009 April - Earthquake strikes towns in the mountainous Abruzzo region, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands homeless.

2009 October - Constitutional court overturns law that granted Premier Berlusconi immunity while in office.

Coalition splits

2010 August - Mr Berlusconi's coalition loses majority in lower house of parliament after more than 30 deputies break away from his People of Freedom party.

2011 February - A Milan judge orders Mr Berlusconi to stand trial in April on charges of abuse of power and paying for sex with an under-age prostitute.

2011 September - Parliament gives final approval to a 54bn euro (£47bn; $74bn) austerity package. The package contains a pledge to balance the budget by 2013.

Berlusconi quits

2011 November - Amid growing doubts about Italy's debt burden, Mr Berlusconi resigns after his government fails to gain a full majority in the Chamber of Deputies during a budget vote. Former European Union commissioner Mario Monti forms government of technocrats.

Tens of thousands of migrants arrive on Italian shores from North Africa every year, with the island of Lampedusa being the main destination
Mapping Mediterranean migration Q&A: Migrants and asylum in the EU
2011 December - Mr Monti's package of austerity measures amounting to 33bn euros (£27bn; $43bn) of spending cuts gains parliamentary approval. The package also includes measures to raise taxes and tackle tax evasion.

2012 January - Government issues de-regulation decree designed to curb restrictive practices, reduce protectionism and encourage competition.

Berlusconi convicted

2013 March - Silvio Berlusconi is sentenced to a year in jail over an illegal wiretap. He remains free pending the outcome of the appeals process.

2013 April - Enrico Letta of the Democratic Party (PD) becomes prime minister at the head of a grand coalition that also includes Silvio Berlusconi's PdL, after Pier Luigi Bersani steps down as PD leader.

Berlusconi conviction upheld

2013 August - Italy's highest court upholds Silvio Berlusconi's sentencing for tax fraud in October 2012, in the former prime minister's first definitive conviction. Because of his age, he is sentenced to community service rather than prison and a two-year ban on holding public office.

2013 October - The governor of Sicily declares a state of emergency after hundreds of migrants die in shipwrecks while attempting to reach Europe from Africa.

2013 November - Senate expels Mr Berlusconi from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud, depriving him of his immunity from arrest.

2014 February - New Democratic Party leader and mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, forms a new left-right coalition government and unveils plans for major economic and political reform.

2014 July - Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wins an appeal against his conviction in June 2013 for paying for sex with an underage prostitute.

2014 August - The Senate, or upper house of parliament, votes to back Prime Minister Renzi's plans to drastically cut the chamber's size and powers.

2015 May - Parliament approves an electoral reform giving the largest party an automatic majority of seats in parliament.

2016 August - Earthquake rocks mountainous Appenine area of central Italy, causing extensive damage and casualties.

2016 November - Prime Minister Renzi resigns after his flagship constitutional reform package is overwhelmingly rejected in a referendum. He is succeeded by his Democratic Party ally Paolo Gentiloni.

2017 July - EU regulators approve a state bailout of the world's oldest bank, Monte dei Paschi, which has been at the centre of Italy's banking crisis.

2017 October - Veneto and Lombardy, two wealthy northern regions, vote overwhelmingly in favour of greater autonomy in non-binding referendums.

Rise of the populists

2018 June - Western Europe's first populist coalition government takes office after elections in March, with an agenda to cut taxes, boost welfare spending, and overhaul European Union budgets and immigration rules.

2018 December - Government has to scale back budget spending plans after EU objections.

2019 January - Figures show economy slipped into recession in the last quarter of 2018.

2019 February - France recalls ambassador from Rome after Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio meets French "yellow-vest" protesters.

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A chronology of key events: 1861 - Italy becomes a nation-state under King Victor Emmanuel II. 1915 - Italy enters the First World War on side of Allies. 1919 - Italy gains Trentino, South Tyrol, and Trieste from Austria-Hungary under the post-war peace treaties.

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The Market Environment Analysing PESTEL for Monitoring the Business in Italy.PESTEL stand for political economic social technological Environmental and Legal factors.

Italy is a Republic located in south-central of Europe, with 60.4 million inhabitants, it is the sixth most populous country in Europe. Italy today is divided into 20 regions, five of which have special status, with special concessions for an economic independence. The five regions are: Valle D'Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sicily, and Sardinia.

To analyse at the best Italy will be used 'Pestel Model':

PESTEL, is a comprehensive model that helps to understand the macro environment in which the business can operate; PESTEL analysis takes into account the following factors:

Political factors,

Economic factors,

Social factors,

Technological factors,

Environmental factors,

Legal factors.

The political landscape section point out how's the political scenario is situated in Italy. In all countries, the government policy intervenes in the economy, although to a different extent, to change the allocation of resources determined by the market.

Italian politics take place in a framework of parliamentary, democratic republic, and of a multi-party system; the Italian system is based on Roman law; this means that the Italian government is divided into the Chamber of Deputies, with 630 members and the Senate of the Republic with 315 members. Nowadays chairman of the board is Matteo Renzi, President of the Council of Ministers from 2014 which forms part of the Democratic Party.

The government impose a personal tax rate can go up to 43%, Italy imposes low tariffs on agricultural products such as wheat, dairy, meats, textiles.

The Italian government, as well as the Italian economy is based on services and industry. The Italian industry has a diversified industrial economy, divided into two parts a developed industrial north, where the other part is controlled, dominated, and driven by companies are privet, and a less developed, subsidized, agriculture south, where unfortunately unemployment is quite high.

The Italian economy is driven by many of family owned companies; as well by high quality consumer goods that many of them are family owned that all produce small and medium-sized enterprises. The factors that will be analyzed are:

INFLATION RATE; when we talk about inflation in Italy, often is referred to the inflation based on the index of consumer prices, abbreviated CPI. The Italian CPI reflects the price development of a standard package of goods and services that Italian households acquire to consume.

Italy's interest rate is currently 0.00%.

Italy's inflation rate is 1.10%.

GDP today : 0.1%. Previous GDP: 0.0%

Unemployment today: 11.2%.

Currently the latest data on inflation in Italy indicates the -0.093% . Year 2016
SOCIAL FACTORS
Italian society is based on a strong culture, the family is the center of the social structure, this also thanks to the religion is practiced, the Catholic. Italy's population is 60 million, population growth 34%, mostly populated with people whose age ranges from 25-54 years old. Because of the crisis there is the problem of unemployment which nowadays dates to 12.6%.
TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS
Technology plays an important role, and it has a powerful affect and impact on business. Especially in 2015 business tend to focuses on keeping up with technology and its rapid movement and evolution, to achieve the maximum efficiency, moreover to upgrade the services.

Italy is trying to keep up with technology to provide services such as system development, wifi points for public use, are sparse around the country mostly available in cities, recently Italy teamed up with the U.S.A to create a new type of sensor, to increase the quality of public services that the government is providing.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
The ecological and environmental aspects of Italy is spectacular, Italy have an amazing atmosphere, different landscapes based, lakes, snow covered mountains, rugged land, and a perfect weather that makes agriculture plays an important role in the Italian economy. Italy support a clean eco environment and it's proved by hosting Expo Milano 2015 Feeding the planet, energy for life which will start on May 1, and will countries for 6 months October 31,2015. Milano will become a global

Destination where more than 140 countries are participating in Expo, Milano will be a global showcases that welcome over 20 million people. Besides the great economical refresh that Italy will have, Italy by hosting this event express the concern that the country have for the planet, and to promote green, eco environment.

The factors are involved in legal matters such as equal opportunities, the safety of the product, healthy, and consumer's right. Italy's employment 40hr a week, over 40 hr over time with the double of the mandatory daily working hours, females employees are entitled to a mandatory paid maternity leave, Italy fights discrimination and harassment, direct and indirect against any race, gender, age, etc.

To learn how to apply the PESTEL analysis in a given market contact us at [email protected]

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Italian Market Environment Analysing PESTEL by Proimpact

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The Market Environment Analysing PESTEL for Monitoring the Business in Italy.PESTEL stand for political economic social technological Environmental and Legal factors. Italy is a Republic located in south-central of Europe, with 60.4 million inhabitants, it is the sixth most populous country in Europe.

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Global Data Lingerie screenshot

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Global Data Lingerie screenshot

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WGSN inspo and Research

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WGSN inspo and Research

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Acorn Profiling Powerpoint

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Global Data Lingerie

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CACI's Acorn is a powerful consumer classification that segments the UK population. By analysing demographic data, social factors, population and consumer behaviour, it provides information and understanding of different types of people.

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Elie Saab (Arabic: إيلي صعب) (born 4 July 1964) is a Lebanese fashion designer. His main workshop is in Lebanon, with additional workshops in Milan and Paris.[citation needed ] He started his business in the early 1980s and specialized in bridal couture (expensive fabrics, lace, gemstones, Swarovski crystals, pearls, detailed embroidery, etc.).

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The fairy-tale aspect of haute couture can often lead to "Once upon a time . . ." collections, and such was the case at Elie Saab, where a glitzy throwback to Paris in the 1920s was reimagined with contemporary workmanship. Show notes were packaged as a large-format program, with images of Josephine Baker, Mistinguett, and Kiki de Montparnasse accompanying a breathless text on the creativity that defined the period, and how today's gowns were evocations of an "artistic paradise" where people partied day and night-hence the show's title, Paris est une Fête.

And party dresses they were. In a largely subdued palette of champagne, silvery blue, and black with just a hint of rose, each look was beaded, bejeweled, feathered, and wrapped in a bow to varying degrees. Application aside, much effort had gone into the Art Deco arrangements that made up embroideries; as each dress passed, you could almost envision the wallpaper, furniture design, architecture, or vintage fabrics that inspired them. It was also interesting to consider the necklines-many scooping below the sternum-in the context of the collection's muses. Josephine Baker, after all, famously danced topless at the Folies Bergère and Kiki de Montparnasse was known for posing nude. Here, more often than not, the dresses were sheer and in the necessary parts deliberately decorated; yet in comparative terms, they weren't all that risqué.

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Elie Saab Spring 2018 Couture Fashion Show

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The fairy-tale aspect of haute couture can often lead to "Once upon a time . . ." collections, and such was the case at Elie Saab, where a glitzy throwback to Paris in the 1920s was reimagined with contemporary workmanship.

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Thinking about it, this has been among the least floral Spring/Summer seasons in recent memory. Into that breach this afternoon stepped Elie Saab with a collection that featured more blooms than a nursery. Embroidered on lace, laser-cut on leather, printed on silks, collaged in sequin, and shadowed on a hologram-effect treated diaphanous organza, Saab heaped his signature silhouettes with the enduringly irresistible botanical expressions of colorful fertility. There were some pieces in which the woman wearing the Saab was not obliged to compete with the florals: long gowns in vertically striped pleated sequin with scarab silhouettes on the chest, single-color dramatically cut gowns in more sequin, perhaps three black or white day suits, and a suite of rib-lined leopard-pattern pieces. Many looks were accessorized with two box bags in studded black leather slung by black leather straps across the shoulder, and gold heavy-link chain necklaces into which were inset gleaming jewellike crystals. His gowns set in panels of floral fabric that were delineated by brass-color rivets were a particularly convincing expression of a romantically inclined floral-adoring woman of means who will wear as many damned flowers as she pleases, thank you, and she'll feel both strong and self-assured while doing so. Saab is a hardy perennial.

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Elie Saab Spring 2019 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show

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Thinking about it, this has been among the least floral Spring/Summer seasons in recent memory. Into that breach this afternoon stepped Elie Saab with a collection that featured more blooms than a nursery. Embroidered on lace, laser-cut on leather, printed on silks, collaged in sequin, and shadowed on a hologram-effect treated diaphanous organza, Saab heaped his signature silhouettes with the enduringly irresistible botanical expressions of colorful fertility.

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In an haute couture season where the client is queen, one would be hard-pressed to find a more relevant collection than that of Elie Saab, shown today in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs. For Saab, his women always come first, above any artistic foaminess or the inevitable tides of fashion that sometimes allow prettiness and glamour to wash away. And his women come to him-to his ateliers in Beirut, London, and Paris-because they enjoy the confidence that comes with the exquisite, well-placed, and shrewdly scaled embroideries; a consistently flattering palette of neutrals and gem tones; and the technical mastery to allow super-high slits sans risk of compromised bits. Royals, red carpet stars, and women whose lives are in their own way that helplessly glamorous love Saab for his sense of breathless beaded beauty; case in point, Game of Thrones 's Rose Leslie who just last week married her dashing costar in Saab . . . and didn't she look lovely?

This season, Saab sought design inspiration from the luminescent, whimsically irregular, and rigorously aspirational masterworks of Gaudí. This added a chic verticality to the embroideries, whether on a halter-neck ball gown or on an ornate, vaguely matador-esque tuxedo jacket. There is a shawl-collared brocade coat, cut like a slim bathrobe, which is encrusted with gold and colored beads in Gaudí-ish formations, and paired with a matching mini sheath. The ensemble nods to rock 'n' roll and royalty, and could cut a swath in either world. And there are a series of evening dresses, mostly in rich gem tones (emerald, amethyst, garnet), but also in a gray-and-white Gaudí-like shadow print, for which sculptural ruffles take the place of any other form of ornamentation. The best of these are in silk chiffon-flattering, fluttery, unapologetically feminine.

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In an haute couture season where the client is queen, one would be hard-pressed to find a more relevant collection than that of Elie Saab, shown today in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs. For Saab, his women always come first, above any artistic foaminess or the inevitable tides of fashion that sometimes allow prettiness and glamour to wash away.

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"I wanted to celebrate the magic of femininity," said Elie Saab backstage before the show. The usually press-shy designer was putting the final touches on the breathtaking wedding dress in crystal-encrusted tulle that would close the show, a concoction of such sumptuous lightness, it looked like a dream. "Oui, c'est le rêve!" he enthused. "It's a dream of luminous mermaids emerging from the waves and promenading along the sea." The collection indeed had a liquid quality, with sinuous silhouettes dripping in silvery ocean-blue sequins. "I wanted to express the brilliance and the glamour of women; I try to enhance their charm with my creations: I look at femininity with my utmost respect."

Beirut is the center of Lebanese couture culture and it's where Saab keeps his ateliers, where all his collections are hand-embroidered and hand-painted. "I bring to French haute couture my Mediterranean sensibility, a vision of a woman almost regal in her demeanor," he said when asked about his approach. He definitely gives the couture narrative a touch of flamboyance. In this collection, extravagance and lightness made a winning combination.

Expanding on the sea life theme, ruffles rippled around figure-hugging, asymmetrically draped evening dresses in deep-blue silk crêpe, and underwater gardens blossomed on delicate confections of sheer pleated tulle, organza, and iridescent taffeta. Corals were finely embroidered in tiny silver sequins on wispy ballgowns, giving them a translucent shimmer. Wearing one of these fantastic creations would transform any woman into a million-dollar mermaid. In the end, that dreamy, fantastical dimension is what true haute couture should be about.

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Elie Saab Spring 2019 Couture Fashion Show

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"I wanted to celebrate the magic of femininity," said Elie Saab backstage before the show. The usually press-shy designer was putting the final touches on the breathtaking wedding dress in crystal-encrusted tulle that would close the show, a concoction of such sumptuous lightness, it looked like a dream. "Oui, c'est le rêve!"