Elie Saab Fall Winter Haute Couture

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.

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 spangled with wavy bands of silver sequins, which trembled as the models walked.