Elie Saab
Lebanon
Elie Saab is a Lebanese luxury fashion house founded by the designer Elie Saab, whose business began in Beirut in 1982. It is known for haute couture, bridal and red-carpet gowns and has expanded into ready-to-wear, accessories, fragrance and interiors. Ownership is not publicly documented in the sources reviewed.
| Founded | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Elie Saab |
| Headquarters | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Brand director | Elie Saab Jr., since 2013 |
| Website | eliesaab.com |
What is Elie Saab?
Elie Saab is a luxury fashion house founded by the Lebanese designer of the same name, who was born in Beirut in 1964. It is best known for haute couture, bridal wear and red-carpet gowns. Its official site presents haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, handbags, bridal and kids' lines, alongside fragrances and a lifestyle division.
History
According to Wikipedia, Saab began his business in 1982 with a team of 15. He became the first non-Italian member of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in 1997 and later the first Lebanese member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Accessories and ready-to-wear arrived in 1998, haute couture showings in Paris began in 2003, and Paris ready-to-wear shows followed in 2006. Halle Berry's 2002 Oscar win in an Elie Saab gown is widely cited as a turning point for the brand's international profile.
Elie Saab Jr. became brand director in 2013. The Beirut headquarters was badly damaged in the 2020 port explosion.
Products and positioning
The house sits firmly in the luxury segment. Its range includes:
- Haute couture and bridal, including a bridal line with Pronovias launched in 2003
- Ready-to-wear: dresses, jackets, tops, skirts and trousers
- Accessories, shoes, belts, jewellery, scarves and handbags
- Fragrance and cosmetics under licence with Beauté Prestige International from 2010
- Maison, a furniture and lighting line, and wellness collections
Business model and distribution
The business combines couture made to order, own boutiques and wholesale. In 2017 Wikipedia reported couture sold in Paris, London and Beirut, and ready-to-wear sold through about 160 retailers as well as own boutiques in cities including Dubai, Paris, London, New York and Hong Kong. The website offers online shopping, trunk shows and private appointment booking. Fragrance is run through a licence rather than in house.
Why it matters
Elie Saab is one of the leading names to emerge from the Middle East in international luxury fashion and a reference point for evening and bridal couture. Its blend of couture, licensing and interiors illustrates how a designer-led house can build a broad brand without outside group ownership being documented in public sources.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Elie Saab?
The sources reviewed do not name an outside owner. The house was founded by Elie Saab, who remains its designer, and his son Elie Saab Jr. has been brand director since 2013.
Where is Elie Saab from?
Elie Saab is a Lebanese brand founded in Beirut. It has shown haute couture in Paris since 2003 and operates boutiques in cities such as Dubai, Paris and London.