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Elie Saab

Unconventional chic

Metrics

Leadership

Sustainability

CSR & Impact

Talent/People/Culture

Innovation

Digital Transformation

Economic Priorities

  • Worldwide
  • Fashion
  • 7, Rue de Chaillot, Paris, Ile-de-France 75116
  • Active
  • CEO Elie Saab; Elie Saab Group CEO Elie Saab Junior
  • Haute couture; ready to wear; fragrance; accessories; interior design
  • To design haute couture custom-made dresses that creates an image of unique design, quality and status
  • Worldwide
  • Private
  • Elie Saab
  • 1982; Beirut, Lebanon

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Summary

From cutting newspaper patterns as a child to opening his atelier at the age of eighteen in Beirut, the journey of eponymous brand Elie Saab is truly entrepreneurial and inspirational.

History

Born in Damour– a coastal suburb of Beirut- Elie Saab learnt sewing when he was nine and dressed his sister in textiles from their mother’s cupboard which he would sew together. In 1981 Saab moved to Paris to pursue a formal education in Fashion but dropped out in a year to return to war-torn Beirut in 1975 to be closer to his family. The following year- at eighteen- the young man launched his eponymous fashion brand and opened his atelier. At that time it specialised in bridal couture handcrafted with expensive fabric- fine lace- hand embroidery- pearls- crystals and silk threads.

In 1997 Elie Saab became the first non-Italian designer to be invited to the National Chamber of Italian Fashion- the governing body for Milan Fashion Week- where he showed his ready-to-wear. Shortly he was invited by Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to showcase in Paris. The following year the fashion brand diversified into ready-to-wear and accessories followed by a collaboration with Beauté Prestige International for fragrance and cosmetics. During the same year he held a fashion show in Monaco with Princess Stéphanie of Monaco in attendance and it quickly became the go-to brand for haute couture.

There was no looking back! In 1999 one of his evening gowns lavishly hand embroidered with emeralds and diamonds was reportedly sold for $2.4 million. Elie Saab became a popular brand in the United States after he became the first Lebanese designer to dress Oscar winner Halle Berry in 2002. Combining Western silhouettes with Middle Eastern aesthetic for ornate embellishment.. Saab’s evening-wear earned him accolades and he collaborated with Pronovias to handcraft a bridal line: Elie by Elie Saab. In 2011 Madame Tussaud unveiled a statue of Kate Winslet draped in Elie Saab: a dress she had worn at Primetime Emmy Awards. The same year Elie Saab launched his first fragrance: Le Parfum.

The luxury fashion brand became so popular among the A-list that Kate Middleton wore Elie Saab at the 2019 Royal Ascot with her husband Prince William and Halle Berry wore Elie Saab to the Oscars. Increasingly sought out by celebrities there was no one who didn’t want to wear Elie Saab.. from Halle Berry to Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta Jones, Salma Hayek, Sandra Bullock, Princess Claire of Luxembourg, Victoria: Crown Princess of Sweden, Queen Raina of Jordon, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Marie-Chantal: Crown Princess of Greece, Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, Clotilde: Princess of Venice and Piedmont… and the list goes on.

The fashion brand opened boutiques in Beirut, Dubai, Doha, Paris, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, Moscow, New York City and Mexico while the ready-to-wear and fragrance is sold worldwide through stockists. Per Vogue: “The couturier’s work is defined by craftsmanship. ‘Every dress in the haute couture collection is a piece of art.. a piece of jewellery handed down from one generation to another. It carries emotional and traditional value. It creates stories in every home’ he says. ‘I never exaggerate in my designs. I don’t follow fashion.””

Saab’s son- Elie Saab Jr- soon took over the role of brand director. In April 2019 Saab announced his expansion into interior design through a collaboration with real estate development company Emaar to create a gated island property at Emaar Beachfront Dubai that boasts views of the Arabian Sea- The Palm- and Dubai Marina. Sadly Elie Saab’s office and headquarters were damaged by the explosion in Beirut and his home was destroyed. Despite this the fashion designer resolutely presented his next collection.

The secret of Elie Saab’s star-truffled clientiele and unprecedented success of each of his collections is summed up clearly by Vogue: “Saab’s pieces are multi-generational investments with each detail created with precision and intent. ‘Haute couture is an investment’ he agrees. ‘It’s a message the dress gives. It’s credibility that the house has developed and goes from one design to another and from one generation to another.’ Each dress can take at least three months to craft.. a time where every detail is studied, worked and tweaked to perfection using expertise gained over decades.”

Mission Statement

To design haute couture custom-made dresses that creates an image of unique design, quality and high status for the elite of world.

Vision

To manifest dreams with needle, thread and impeccable craftsmanship. Elie Junior has a clear vision for the company which comprises the heritage and DNA of the brand as well as what he believes the next generation of clients are looking for. Over the years he has- alongside his father- been envisioning restructuring the company to take the luxury fashion brand further to create an entire Elie Saab lifestyle that will captivate the global consumer.

Key Team

CEO Elie Saab; Elie Saab Group CEO Elie Saab Junior

Awards and Recognition

Elie Saab has been worn by Queen Rania of Jordan; Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden; Princess Madeleine of Sweden; Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece; and Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. In 1999, Queen Rania of Jordan wore Elie Saab for her enthronement. Countess Stéphanie and the Hereditary Grand Duke married in a civil ceremony married in 2012, where the bride wore a dress designed by Elie Saab. First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, wore an Elie Saab outfit of military coat and skinny trousers during a state visit to China. Among his notable achievements is that he was the first non-Italian fashion designer to be accepted into the Camera Nazionale della Moda. Shortly, in 2003, he was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris to become a member.

References