Elie Saab presented his fall 2026 couture collection in Paris on July 8, drawing inspiration from surrealist masked balls and the works of Salvador Dali. The designer incorporated floral motifs and tailored elements across the looks.
Elie Saab cited surrealism as a central influence, stating that it is about making dreams come true. He added that one needs to go with the flow and described the approach as a little naughty.
The collection featured references to historical masked events, including images of Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Mia Farrow at Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Ball. A mood board also included works by Magritte and Dali’s Meditative Rose.
Key designs included an ivory draped gown with a single black rose motif, a velvet gown in a black-to-Bordeaux gradient with ombré beading, and a bustier styled as an iris or butterfly wing. The show also introduced tailored smokings for both men and women.