Early years
In 1981, Saab moved to Paris to study fashion, but later returned to Beirut. In 1982, at age 18, he started working with a team of 15 employees, initially specializing in bridal couture. His work featured detailed embroidery, pearls, crystals, and silk fabrics.[6] His reputation grew locally and gradually attracted a wider clientele, including high society figures.[7]
In 1997, Saab was the first non-Italian designer to become a member of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion,[8][9] and in 1997 he showed his first collection outside Lebanon in Rome.[10]
In 1998, he started his ready-to-wear line in Milan, as well as an accessories line. During the same year, Saab held a fashion show in Monaco, with Princess Stéphanie of Monaco in attendance.[11]
In 1999, one of his dresses thickly embroidered with emeralds and diamonds was reportedly sold for $2.4 million.[12]
International recognition
Saab became more well known in the United States after he became the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner, Halle Berry,[13] in 2002.[14] In May 2003, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture invited him to become a member,[8] and he showed his first haute couture collection in Paris in July 2003.
In 2003, he teamed up with Pronovias to create a bridal line, Elie by Elie Saab.[15]
The Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture inducted him as a membre correspondant in 2006.[16]
Recent projects and collaborations
In 2012, he worked with the Lebanese American University and London College of Fashion to launch a bachelor's degree in fashion design.[16] As of 2013, the brand had boutiques located in Beirut, Dubai, Doha, Paris, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, Moscow, New York City, and Mexico, with 100 retail outlets total.[6] Saab's son, Elie Saab Jr, became brand director in 2013.[16]
Saab appeared as a judge on Project Runway: Middle East in 2016.[16] Between 2015 and 2017, the Elie Saab company opened a second Paris boutique and a new location in London's Mayfair, and in Manhattan.[16] The Manhattan store that opened in October 2016 was his first in the country.[23]
Real estate collaborations
Elie Saab X Emaar
The Lebanese fashion designer and the real estate development company Emaar reveal luxurious Elie Saab at Emaar Beachfront property in Dubai. The luxurious island property, Grand Bleu Tower at Emaar Beachfront, will include one, two and three-bedroom apartments as well as four-bedroom penthouses with interiors by Elie Saab. The residential tower boasts views of the Arabian Sea, The Palm and Dubai Marina.[25]
Elie Saab X Samana
Luxury fashion designer Elie Saab has partnered with Samana Developers to launch Samana Ocean Views, an exclusive residential project in the Maldives. This marks Samana’s first international venture and Elie Saab’s expansion into island living, bringing his signature design to a tropical paradise.
Samana is known for real estate in Dubai, that is building a private island development in the Maldives.
Elie Saab X Emaar
The Lebanese fashion designer and the real estate development company Emaar reveal luxurious Elie Saab at Emaar Beachfront property in Dubai. The luxurious island property, Grand Bleu Tower at Emaar Beachfront, will include one, two and three-bedroom apartments as well as four-bedroom penthouses with interiors by Elie Saab. The residential tower boasts views of the Arabian Sea, The Palm and Dubai Marina.[25]
Elie Saab X Samana
Luxury fashion designer Elie Saab has partnered with Samana Developers to launch Samana Ocean Views, an exclusive residential project in the Maldives. This marks Samana’s first international venture and Elie Saab’s expansion into island living, bringing his signature design to a tropical paradise.
Samana is known for real estate in Dubai, that is building a private island development in the Maldives. The project includes beachfront villas, overwater bungalows, and ocean-facing suites. This collaboration combines Samana and design company Saab partnership.
Elie Saab X MIRA
In 2024, Saab collaborated with Dubai-based MIRA Developments on residential projects in the Caucasus region.[26][27]
Beirut explosion, 4 August 2020
Saab's main office and headquarters were left badly damaged by the explosion, his home nearby was completely destroyed.[28] Despite this, the designer and his team planned to get back to work in order to finish the collection for the September show.[28]
In April 2021, Elie Saab launched an initiative that consists in donating a portion of sales to UNICEF's "Integrated Education and Well-Being for Vulnerable Girls in Lebanon Program."[29]
The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab, November 2024
In November 2024, Elie Saab celebrated the 45th anniversary of his fashion house with an event titled "The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab[30]" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
