Photographed by Gabriel Karanfil

10:30 on a Sunday morning can be a jarring moment to encounter "Fashion People", especially of the ilk that arrived for the Elie Saab show. There was the nice lady hidden behind dark sunglasses and carrying her yapping Yorkshire Terrier - which in turn was wearing a glistening pearl collar. Then there were sparkling sequined tops and florescent scarves (and that was only the ladies), or the couple sporting 70's retro-afros. (Guests second row had a pleasure tantamount to sitting behind Marge Simpson).

So when the show began, models stepped out from behind strands of chains to take the ebony runway, and it was no surprise that the collection itself seem to aim for bright lights and red carpet. The opening day wear was fluid and enchanting, trimmed here and there with bows, pinned with floral brooches, and ornamented with jet beads. Infinite variations on theme worked to expand what could have been a concise statement into a 73-piece collection.

It wasn't long until high octane sparkle eclipsed everything, transforming the show into a prime time spectacle. The fluttering pleats of one snow-white Empire gown overlaid with a dusting of silver sequins could have served as the quintessence of the collection. Exquisite and dazzling. But too much of the same thing can lead to eye fatigue, but you'd never guess that judging from ecstatic reaction on the front row.

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