THE MIDDLE EAST’S

1. Elie Saab

Brand: ELIE SAAB
Establishment: 1982
Headquarters: Lebanon / France
Nationality: Lebanese

Saab taught himself how to sew before the age of 10, and launched his namesake brand at 18. In 1997, Saab became the first non-Italian designer to be accepted in the Camera Nazionale della Moda, the governing body for Milan Fashion Week, and he became a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 2002. He gained international fame after Hollywood star Halle Berry wore one of his designs to the Oscars in 2002. In January 2024, Saab signed an MoU with the General Entertainment Authority to curate the Riyadh Season Fall Collection 2025. Saab’s business has expanded beyond haute couture, offering ready-to-wear collections, fragrances, kids, and even interiors.