Elie Saab has been known for eveningwear since he made his name with Halle Berry's Best Actress Oscar number a dozen years ago. Gowns will likely remain the core of his business, but more and more he's turning his attention to ready-to-wear. This season, he made a point of incorporating the embellishments and finery he uses for his occasion dresses on more casual pieces. So a silk crepe T-shirt was embroidered with the same matte sequins in the same swirling patterns as his red-carpet fare, and the jacket and pants of a blush-colored tracksuit were inset with delicate Chantilly lace. Saab also set about expanding the range of his daytime offerings, turning out what his press officer called his first-ever trenchcoat, and introducing a new leather group that included a dressy Perfecto jacket and a peplum waist sheath. A pair of black short-shorts even made it into the mix. It may take a while for Saab to convince shoppers that he's the one to turn to when they're stocking up for their next vacation. In the meantime, he makes a quite pretty long-sleeved lace dress.
