After his Haute Couture fashion show in January in Paris, Elie Saab was back in the French capital on March 4th to present his Fall-Winter 2007-2008 ready-to-wear Collection at Carrousel du Louvre (Delorm Room). This energetic new ready-to-wear collection breaks with the usual cocktail outfits and princess dresses in favor of looks that are more active, efficient… and devastating.

Body-skimming lines, embroidered jackets and slim skirts are the defining elements of a woman who is sure of herself and her wardrobe: Fitted skirts and wide belts cinch the waist, while elsewhere the silhouette is liberated by architectural cuts with a strong Sixties slant. Trapeze dresses and flared sleeves that are gathered at the cuff lend structure to coat-dresses and day jackets in black Lurex denim; these passages are punctuated by more streamlined fur capelets, halter-back dresses and jet embroidery.

The somber color palette is infused with touches of violet and emerald green, but black takes pride of place with moiré, shiny and sparkling finishes. Elie Saab breathes modernity into evening by introducing black skai faux leather on a shiny bustier embroidered with ostrich feathers, or using black jersey to lend casual fluidity to elegant evening dresses. This winter, the Elie Saab woman will wear gloves, short leather boots and patent leather handbags.