Lebanese couturier Georges Chakra is in a subdued mood this season, and his concerns about the political situation in the Middle East were reflected in his Fall/Winter 2013 Haute Couture collection.

Talking to BLOUIN ARTINFO, the couturier said some of the designs had been inspired by the 1920s, “but mainly it’s about a woman that wants to find herself in her cocoon, chic, elegant, but sober. She’s a little bit melancholic with everything that is happening in the world, in light of the economic and political situation in the Arab world.”

His creations are still offering va-va-voom dresses with acres of elaborated laces or sequins in bright jewelled tones (amethyst, saphire and emerald) to satisfy the taste of some clients, but the collection was otherwise dominated by a mix of black, white and grey tones, still of course using luscious silk and organza fabrics.

One of the nouveautes for the designer was the use of small flowers in appliqué.

His wedding dress was a stunning gown with degrade of silver, mordorés and black hand-painted flowers. “If someone hadn’t understood the essential idea of this collection, I think this dress says it well,” the designer quipped.

In tune with the somber tone of the collection, Chakra decided not to present a runway, but to receive press and clients in his private showroom.