Sparkle, sequins and gold dominated Elie Saab’s Couture Fall 2010 collection.  The gowns floated down the runway in beautiful fall colors of red, gold, taupe, seafoam green and a print so lovely it brings to mind the frescoes in Italy.  We saw draping, beading and oragami pleating that was simply breathtaking on the breezy silk chiffon.  Saab opted for full on glamour and opulence with his fabric selection.  Only the construction and careful attention to details rivaled those choices.  The collection is reminiscent of the fashion from the television series in the 1980′s, Dynasty, but it’s the updated version for the 21st century. 

Robert Pattinson in Gucci

Kristen Stewart in Elie Saab

Dakota Fanning in Elie Saab

Twilight Eclipse premiered last night, and the stars made an eye-opening fashion impact.  Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning took top honors in Gucci and Elie Saab respectively.  Rob wore a maroon colored Gucci suit that was fitted to perfection.  The color choice was risky, but this vampire totally made it work.

Then there was Kristen Stewart in a white one-shoulder Elie Saab dress.  It was a sexy look that sparkled with a daring cut-out in the back.  Her look was young and rocking, and a great choice for the evening.

Dakota Fanning also wore an Elie Saab dress.  Her dress was a nude one-shoulder look that was young and flirty.  It was also a little more modest than Kristen’s, and very befitting for her age. 

They each got it right at the premiere.  It appears young Hollywood is maturing before our eyes, at least in their fashion choices.  Oh, and if you were wondering, I’m Team Edward!

1. Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

2. Carey Mulligan in Prada

3. Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan

4. Cameon Diaz in Oscar de la Renta

5. Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel

6. Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka

Red Carpet:

1. Rachel McAdams looked so lovely and ethereal in her Elie Saab gown last night.  It was made from a beautiful floral print that made us nostalgic for spring; it reminded me of a watercolor painting.   Rachel got high marks for the fit, fabric, its charm and her ability to wear it with incredible ease.

2. Carey Mulligan’s Prada dress was the perfect choice for the budding starlet.  It was young and avant garde while maintaining a sweetness.  The beading and embellishments could have gone tragically wrong, but she pulled it off beautifully.

3. Penelope Cruz got it right with this Donna Karan gown.  The rich color was perfect for her hair color and complexion.  I loved the asymmetrical pleating at the top.  Cruz has become one to watch on the red carpet, and last night was no exception.

4. Cameron Diaz rightly wore Oscar de la Renta to the Oscars and she glowed.  With Cameron, it was the whole package, the dress, hair and that winning smile. 

5. Sarah Jessica Parker can hardly do any wrong on the red carpet.  She looked stunning in Chanel Couture last night.  The gown reminded me of Audrey Hepburn look in “My Fair Lady,” that alone would have landed her on this list.  She embodies a certain grace that complements whatever she wears.

6. Okay, there are actually six picks on my best dressed list.  Queen Latifah makes the list because she was gorgeous in Badgley Mischka, and I could not let that go unacknowledged.  The fit of the gown was perfect, I loved the one shoulder and that the embellishment came across her body at just the right angle.  She looked beautiful and her posture says that she felt beeautiful as well.  That is the job of the right dress on the right star at the Oscars.

 Lady Gaga in Armani Prive

 Rhianna in Elie Saab Couture

Ciara in Givenchy Couture

Red Carpet Looks:

Couture came to the Grammy’s this year, and its arrival signaled a look towards the future.  We were granted a preview of the future of fashion in the new decade, and all is well.

Lady Gaga set the bar for the evening.  Her Armani Prive gown was designed and built to stimulate our visual senses.  Gaga was orbited by perfectly manicured glittery strips that could double as a shield to keep away intruders.  So that’s what it looks like to have the world revolve around you.  Let’s not forget the tights and shoes which brought the singer’s look to greater heights. 

Rhianna could have been the heroine in any sci fi film with this Elie Saab Couture gown.  Her hair and make up were flawless, and perfectly completed the look.  The structured shoulders gave this gown its futuristic vibe, and all traces of the last decade evaporated.

Ciara made a bold choice with this selection.  If Rhianna was the heroine, Ciara was the gorgeous villainess in Givenchy Couture.  It is sheer lace and textured with just enough embellishments.  The look says welcome to the future, and the future is badass.

Elie Saab’s spring 2010 couture collection is perfection.  A parade of stunning gowns came down the runway in the palest blue, lavender, yellow and flesh tones.  They ranged from the ethereal to the tulle lined confections with exquisite detailing.  The neutral color palette lends a sophistication to an already elegant collection.  Some of the gowns floated down the runway as if they were ready to take flight.  Beautiful lace, lovely appliques and seemingly translucent fabric permeated the spring collection.  Oh, and the beaded gowns are definitely ready for their red carpet close-up.  View the entire collection here.

 #1. Kate Hudson in Emilio Pucci

 #2. Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

 #3. Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab

 #4. Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen (with husband Jesse James)

#5. Lea Michele in Catherine Malandrino

On the Red Carpet:

Kate Hudson did it again, two weeks in a row.  We named her the best dressed at the Golden Globes last week, and she takes top honors again in this Emilio Pucci dress.  White is obviously Ms. Hudson’s color and it becoming a favorite on the red carpet.  The fit of this gown was perfect, from the deceptively demure front to the jaw dropping back.                                                     

Diane Kruger looked glamourous in her mustard colored Jason Wu gown.  She did a great job at channeling the starlets of old hollywood.  Her jewelry, hair and make-up complemented this gorgeous chiffon number.  The dress perfectly sculpted her body and the color was extremely flattering to her skintone.

Marion Cotillard was young and edgy at the SAG Awards and we appreciated it.  She continued the one shoulder trend in an off-white beaded dress by Elie Saab.  The mix of beads and feathers made this dress a bold choice and she wore it well.  The color and length made this a refreshing sight on the red carpet.

Sandra Bullock wisely selected this Alexander McQueen gown.  It showcased a very flattering silhouette.  The structured shoulders landed this gown on the best dressed list.  It looked very modern and the royal blue beading served as the icing on the cake. 

Lea Michele Everything was right with this Catherine Malandrino dress, the low V-cut front and the floor length finish elongated her figure.  The color worked beautifully with her hair color and lightly bronzed skin.  We’re looking forward to seeing her on the red carpet more often.

We continue with a look at fashion designers as we countdown to fashion week in the four fashion capitals.  Today we look at Elie Saab in a CNN interview.  Here he discusses the economy and its effect, or lack of negative effect on his business.  After viewing this video, I was left wondering, ‘what economic crisis?’  Mr. Saab is fortunate to have a clientele who is mostly unaffected by the economic downturn, so she shops as she pleases.  He has a presence in the Middle East, Europe and the United States; the Middle East and Europe are able to make up for the losses in the United States, said Mr. Saab.  It appears that Elie Saab is thriving in this economic environment, and this should be good news for all in the fashion industry.  There is a resurgence coming, and the industry will be ready with creativity and innovative designs.   Take a look at the video. 

Upon my first glance of the Elie Saab couture collection, I felt an incredible lightness and joy within.  The collection came in various shades of white, and it sent a message of hope, renewal and purification.  That alone won me over.  One’s state of mind is the key in all areas of life, and fashion is no exception.  The collection offered an escape from the current economic environment; it dared to will us out of a recessionary state of mind.  For this reason alone, Fashion Rollcall would have named Elie Saab to its Rollcall list for Couture Week fall 2009, but the dresses were heavenly as well.  Each one was lovelier than the next, and the models’ bodies and stance conveyed a feeling of sensuality in the dresses, and rightfully so.  One would feel beautiful in any of those looks.  The one shoulder trend was heavily represented; my favorite look was Grecian inspired with a long sleeve on one side and a cap sleeve on the other; it’s simply gorgeous.  Click here to view the entire collection.