# Neutral Runway Couture Elie Saab Close-Ups Reveal Feminine Details, Understated Makeup By Going Like Sixty | Published 2009-01-31 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/couture-close-up-zits-sequins-flappy-ears-to-improve-your-body-image References: [community.livejournal](http://community.livejournal.com/modelcouture/1020399.html#cutid1) These close-up images from Elie Saab Couture Spring 2009 show a number of details attendees at the runway show might have missed--specifically, the models' faces. Saab chose to have a [nude makeup palette](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/il-pranzo-campaign) applied to his models, a move that has been met with mixed reviews on websites like the one cited below. Commenters indicated that the models looked haggard and in need of a good night's rest. The extreme close-ups also afforded a look at some of the finer details of Elie Saab's couture collection that often get missed from afar. Feminine details like [ruffles, lace and sequins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heli-kalkstein) abound, in neutral shades that echoed the drab makeup on Saab's models. [Couture collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-springsummer-2026) are known for being avant-garde and unexpected. Are Saab's lackluster couture models meant to mirror the lackluster economic climate? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Luxury Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxuryfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Nude Makeup Trend:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a line of cosmetics specifically designed to create a flawless and natural nude makeup look. - **Focus on Fine Details:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a platform or tool that allows fashion designers to showcase the intricate details of their collections through close-up imagery. - **Neutral Color Palette:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and eco-friendly fabric dyes that offer a wide range of neutral shades for couture collections. ### Where This Applies - **Cosmetics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative technologies and formulas to create high-quality nude makeup products. - **Fashion Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate technology into fashion design processes to highlight and enhance the fine details of couture collections. - **Sustainable Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new methods and materials to produce eco-friendly fabrics in a variety of neutral colors for the fashion industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Whimsical Couture Settings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chanel-spring-summer-2026.md) - [Whimsical Feminine Runway Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wild-rose-sparrow.md) - [Vibrant Upscale Makeup Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chanels-spring-2025.md) - [Minimalist Gallery Runways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-laurent-springsummer-2024.md) - [Politically-Inspired Runway Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selkies-the-libertine-collection.md) - [Restyled Cinematic Makeup Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/il-pranzo-campaign.md) - [Modern Minimalist Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-latest-summer-edit.md) - [Whimsical Spring Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Anna-Suis-SpringSummer-2025.md) - [Intimate Spring Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-springsummer-2026.md)