Elie Saab

Elie Saab (Arabic: إيلي صعب) (born 4 July 1964), sometimes known simply as 'ES', is a Lebanese fashion designer. His main workshop is in Lebanon, with additional workshops in Milan and Paris.

Early life

Elie Saab is the eldest son of a wood merchant who raised five children in Damour, a southern coastal Beirut suburb, part of Greater Beirut.

Born to Maronite Catholic parents in Beirut, Saab is self-trained and began sewing as a child. At the age of eight his attention was already turned to fashion. He used to cut patterns out of newspaper and searched his mother's closet for any lace he could find. He used his sister as his model, raiding his mother's closet for anything he could drape upon her. However, his family was pleasantly surprised when he turned out a blue and white striped gown for his sister. He felt inspired by the elegance and beauty in a woman.

Career

In 1981 Saab moved to Paris to study fashion, but ended up returning, opening a workshop and launching his Beirut-based fashion label in 1982, when he was 18 years old, with a team of 15 employees. At first, his atelier was specialized in bridal couture making wedding dresses and gowns using rich fabrics, lace, detailed embroidery, pearls, crystals and silk threads. In Beirut, his reputation grew from dressing the women in his neighbourhood, and was soon enhanced by high society women who began sporting his designs.