Elie Saab facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elie Saab
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Saab at his Spring 2012 Fashion Show
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| Born | 4 July 1964 |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
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Label(s)
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Elie Saab (1998–present) |
| Spouse(s) | Claudine Saab |
Elie Saab (Arabic: ايلي صعب) is a famous fashion designer from Lebanon. He was born on July 4, 1964. He started his fashion business in the early 1980s. He became known for making beautiful wedding dresses and fancy gowns. These dresses often used special fabrics, lace, shiny crystals, and detailed embroidery.
His main design studio is in Lebanon. He also has studios in Milan, Italy, and Paris, France. His special custom-made clothes are available in Paris, London, and Beirut. His ready-to-wear clothes are sold in many stores and his own boutiques around the world.
Elie Saab was the first Lebanese designer to join the important fashion group called the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. This group sets the rules for high fashion. He also appeared as a judge on the TV show Project Runway: Middle East in 2016.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Elie Saab grew up in Beirut, Lebanon. He was the oldest of five children. His father was a wood merchant.
Elie started sewing when he was very young. By age eight, he was already interested in fashion. He would cut patterns from newspapers. He used his sisters as models and found materials in his mother's closet.
Starting a Fashion Career
In 1981, Elie Saab went to Paris to study fashion. But he soon returned to Beirut. In 1982, when he was just 18 years old, he opened his own design studio. He had a team of 15 employees.
At first, his studio focused on bridal couture. This meant making unique wedding dresses and gowns. He used expensive fabrics, lace, pearls, crystals, and silk threads. His designs became popular with women in his neighborhood. Soon, important women in society also started wearing his clothes.
In 1997, Elie Saab was the first designer from outside Italy to join the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. That same year, he showed his first collection outside Lebanon in Rome.
In 1998, he launched his ready-to-wear clothing line in Milan. He also started an accessories line. He held a fashion show in Monaco, where Princess Stéphanie of Monaco attended.
Becoming Famous Worldwide
Elie Saab became very well known in the United States in 2002. This happened when Halle Berry wore one of his dresses to the Oscars. She was the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner.
In May 2003, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture invited him to become a member. He then showed his first haute couture (high fashion) collection in Paris in July 2003.
In 2003, he worked with Pronovias to create a special bridal line called Elie by Elie Saab. He became a full member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 2006. His first ready-to-wear collection shown in Paris was for Spring-Summer 2006.
Many celebrities have worn Elie Saab's designs. In 2007, he designed outfits for The Beyoncé Experience tour. By 2010, he had dressed 102 celebrities for different events. In 2011, Madame Tussauds made a wax statue of Kate Winslet wearing an Elie Saab dress. Also in 2011, Elie Saab launched his first perfume, Le Parfum.
In 2019, The Duchess of Cambridge wore an Elie Saab gown to Royal Ascot. This was the first time a British royal wore one of his designs.
Recent Projects and Collaborations
In 2012, Elie Saab worked with the Lebanese American University and London College of Fashion. They started a new bachelor's degree program in fashion design. By 2013, the brand had stores in many cities worldwide. These included Beirut, Dubai, Paris, London, and New York City. Elie Saab's son, Elie Saab Jr., became the brand director in 2013.
Between 2015 and 2017, the Elie Saab company opened new stores in Paris, London, and Manhattan. The Manhattan store, which opened in October 2016, was his first in the United States.
Elie Saab X Emaar
Elie Saab has also worked with the real estate company Emaar. They created luxurious homes called Elie Saab at Emaar Beachfront in Dubai. These homes include apartments and penthouses. They have interiors designed by Elie Saab himself. The buildings offer amazing views of the Arabian Sea and Dubai Marina.
Elie Saab X Samana
Elie Saab has partnered with Samana Developers for a new project. They launched Samana Ocean Views in the Maldives. This is Samana's first international project. It brings Elie Saab's unique design style to a tropical island setting. The project features beachfront villas and overwater bungalows. It combines modern luxury with the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Beirut Explosion Impact
On August 4, 2020, a large explosion happened in Beirut. Elie Saab's main office and headquarters were badly damaged. His home nearby was completely destroyed. Despite this, he and his team worked hard to finish their next collection.
In April 2021, Elie Saab started an initiative to help. A part of his sales goes to UNICEF's program. This program helps vulnerable girls in Lebanon with education and well-being.
The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab
In November 2024, Elie Saab celebrated 45 years of his fashion house. He held a big event called "The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show featured 300 different outfits. Ninety models walked the runway. Famous artists like Jennifer Lopez and Céline Dion performed live. Actress Halle Berry closed the show. She wore the same burgundy gown Saab designed for her 2002 Oscar win. This showed how lasting his designs are.
Famous Clients and Projects
Many important people have worn Elie Saab's designs. These include Queen Rania of Jordan, Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Princess Madeleine of Sweden. Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, wore an Elie Saab wedding dress in 2012. Princess Claire of Luxembourg also wore a Saab-designed dress for her wedding.
Halle Berry wore a famous burgundy gown by Saab to the 2002 Academy Awards. She won Best Actress that night. This dress was voted one of the greatest red carpet gowns ever. Cosmopolitan magazine called it "one of the Best Oscar dresses of all time." Halle Berry wore another Saab dress to the Oscars in 2003.
Sandra Bullock wore Elie Saab at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013. She also wore his design at the premiere of her movie Ocean's 8.
In 2018, Rose Leslie wore a floral embroidered Elie Saab wedding dress. She wore it when she married her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington.
Jennifer Lopez has worn Elie Saab many times. This includes at the 87th Academy Awards and the Global Citizen's Vax Live concert.
Other famous clients include Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, Beyoncé, Aishwarya Rai, Angelina Jolie, Celine Dion, Heidi Klum, Helen Mirren, Emilia Clarke, Priyanka Chopra, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Swift.
Personal Life
Elie Saab is married to Claudine Saab. They live with their three sons in Lebanon.
Filmography
- 2016: Project Runway: Middle East - judge
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See also
In Spanish: Elie Saab para niños
