Fall 2018 Haute Couture: Georges Hobeika’s Swan Lake
Inspired by the Swan Lake ballet, Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika replaced his usual rich flower appliques with slightly more unusual swan embroideries and delicate floating feathers as he imagined light silhouettes with clouds of barely-there lace, silk organza and floating muslin.
The designer relied on white, dusty pink, and a rich palette of blues to evoke the story, while beads were abundantly used in rows of playful fringes all around the body or embroidered on a back to create scintillating patterns in movement.
© Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop
Catering to a younger clienteles there was a smattering of shorter hemlines and strategically placed cut-outs, along with the more traditional couture silhouette with thigh-high slits, high-low hemlines, and floor-sweeping gowns.
Feathery accents (in one case in the shape of the fabric dresses) or an embroidery could be found throughout, though one of the most striking gowns was a more literal interpretation of the ballet with a large white swan embroidered on a mermaid gown with tight bodice.
The final bridal gown sported an illusion, long-sleeved top and a pleated mermaid skirt, embroidered with crystals and feathers. This was accompanied by a tulle veil and a crystal headband.
