Elie Saab, Beirut

Elie Saab, Lebanon's most successful fashion designer, is renowned both locally and internationally for his exquisite haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections. Saab's flagship store is strategically located in the Elie Saab building in Beirut, underscoring his roots and prominence in the city where he started his illustrious career. Born in Beirut to Maronite Catholic parents, Saab demonstrated a precocious talent for fashion design from an early age, using newspapers to create patterns and his mother's closet as a resource for materials.

Saab opened his first store in Beirut at the tender age of 28, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking career that would soon see his designs on global celebrities like Beyoncé Knowles and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and even royalty such as Kate Middleton. His designs are famed for their opulence, featuring expensive fabrics, intricate lace, and lavish embellishments with gemstones, Swarovski crystals, pearls, and detailed embroidery.

The designer's main workshop is based in Lebanon, with additional workshops in Milan and Paris, emphasizing his global reach while maintaining strong local roots. Saab’s achievements include being the first Lebanese admitted to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, a testament to his skill and impact on the fashion industry.

As of March 2017, Saab’s creations were available in his boutiques in Paris, London, and Beirut, and his ready-to-wear lines were sold in over 160 retailers worldwide, showcasing the international demand for his work. Elie Saab continues to serve as a cornerstone of Lebanese creativity, bringing the art of luxurious Middle Eastern fashion to the global stage.