Make Me Feel Mighty Real: Elie Saab – RTW SS20

Melanin makes everything magical.

I love that this show opens with a dark-skinned model, with a fro, in a flowy pale pink dress that contrasted beautifully with her complexion. In fact, many of the Black women wear pieces that play well with their skin tones; but, then again, black looks good with anything.

The show feels like my kind of warm weather months – easy, unrestricted and free-flowing. I love garments that catch the wind and fly behind as you walk. There’s something so dramatic about that and Elie Saab had no shortage of such here.

Although so many pieces are airy, there are several with grommets; adding a little weight to pieces that would otherwise float away. The grommets along with the oversized accessories (those bracelets, cuffs and neckpieces – OMG!) is also a beautiful juxtaposition to pieces that are light in both color and texture.

While several pieces are solid, others incorporate a fun mix of prints that lends to the overall earthy, bohemian and tribal tones emanating from every look. In fact, the collection as a whole conveys a chic queenliness and sense of matriarchy.  There’s also a clear 70s vibe here: From the silhouettes to the styling and music choice, you’re transported to a discotheque. Have I ever been in a discotheque…? No, but I would imagine one would look and feel a lot like this! It’s the big belts, the caftans and capes, the hairstyling and general ease of the pieces that help to shift you to that iconic era in fashion.

Photo credit: eliesaab.com