Elie Saab Celebrates His Longstanding Career With “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab”
Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab celebrated his couture Maison’s 45th anniversary with a festival-style runway at Riyadh Season 2024. The event was a stunning display of the couturier’s work, unfolding in front of a star-studded guest list that included A-listers such as Lebanese singer Elissa, Turkish actor Hande Erçel and American actor Kelly Rutherford, among many others.
A one-of-a-kind event designed exclusively to celebrate Saab’s career, “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” featured performances by world-class acts including Celine Dion and was broadcast live.
A Night To Remember
Held on November 13, “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” celebrated Saab’s 45 years in the fashion industry. Aptly named after “One Thousand and One Nights” — the classic literature compilation of Middle Eastern folktales — the entire evening painted a creative homage to Arab heritage, creativity and storytelling.
The collection was a spectacle unto itself. Recognized models like Candice Swanepoel, Sara Sampaio and Adriana Lima took to the catwalk in extravagant, brand-new designs created especially for the night’s event. Elie Saab’s signature craftsmanship was the thread connecting one look to the next. The couturier gave life to his designs using a vibrant color palette and luxurious glimmery materials.
Beyond a collection of outfits, “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” was an evening of riveting performances. From live sets by internationally renowned artists to theatrical dance acts, the event buzzed with energy from start to finish. Under artistic coordination by Bianca Li, each performance blended seamlessly into the greater fashion presentation.
A-Plus Guest List
One of the highlights of the event was the arrival of guests at The Venue, a newly inaugurated area of Riyadh Season, located in Hittin. Stars, entertainers and global figures walked the red carpet dressed in looks by Elie Saab, one more iconic than the next.
Actors Huda El Mufti, Dorra Zarrouk and content creator Tamara donned stylish strapless dresses in vibrant colors ranging from green to silver and gold. Meanwhile, stars Amina Khalil and Saba Mubarak sported one-shoulder gowns featuring details like draping, bows and embellishments.
Italian superstar Monica Bellucci went the demure way and opted for a black gown while Lebanese actor and beauty brand founder Nadine Nassib Njeim, dressed in a sleek dark blue gown and matching cape, proved that navy blue is indeed the new black.
On the other hand, Turkish icon Hande Erçel paid homage to Elie Saab’s brand history with an archival dress from the Couture Spring 2003 collection. Likewise, Canadian powerhouse Celine Dion — styled by tastemaker Law Roach — channeled Elie Saab’s signature style with a pink floral gown.
Star-Studded From Beginning to End
In addition to the lineup of supermodels walking the runway, Hollywood icon Halle Berry made a catwalk appearance at the beginning of the show. In a fantastic throwback to the past, the star sported the same Elie Saab gown she wore to receive her first Academy Award in 2002 — a historic moment as she became the first Black woman to win an Oscar in the Best Actress category.
Lively and energetic performances by American stars Jennifer Lopez and Camila Cabello served as the backdrop of runway segments styled by Carine Roitfeld. The night took a turn when Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, best known as the “Queen of Arab Pop” hit the runway to perform a medley of her music. Egyptian singer Amr Diab then took over, setting the stage on fire with his global hit “Nour El Ein.”
Dressed in a golden caped gown, Canadian songstress Celine Dion shut down the big night with a marvelous performance of fan-favorite songs like “The Power Of Love” and “I’m Alive.”
In an emotional moment, the big finale saw Elie Saab taking a bow to close down the runway and wrap up an event that combined design and entertainment with an Arab culture-fueled narrative.
Interested in more fashion content? Check out the highlights of “The Sound of Prada” event in Seoul here.
