Having been inspired by butterflies for his Spring 2017 Collection, Lebanese designer Ziad Nakad turned to a resolutely more wintery mood for his Fall 2017 collection, titled “The Snow Crystal Forest.”

Eschewing runway tradition Nakad opened the presentation with a crystal- and pearl-studded wedding gown that set the tone for his snowy theme. The runway presentation that followed was dominated by a succession of ball gowns in a wide-ranging palette of black, midnight blues, greys, green, ruby red, tea-rose and purple to finish again with ivory whites.

The silhouette was classically elegant, generally involving a tight bodice with long sleeves, a waist thinly belted, and a choice of A-line or ball gown skirts.

Dark fabrics were smothered with scintillating crystals as if a snow princess had just taken a stroll in the snow-covered forest.  Snowflakes were also more literally created either through crystal embroideries, laser-cut velvet embellishments, or feathery motifs. At their most successful, some of the dresses feature scintillating tree branches.

The collection concluded with a second bride (an important market for the designer who is celebrating 20 years in business) with a gown elaborately decorated with a leafy pattern of crystal and gold thread.