Elie Saab celebrates 45 years of fashion in Saudi Arabia with show and star performances

Fashion looks to Saudi Arabia: Elie Saab celebrates the 45th anniversary of its brand. For the past few years, fashion has been paying more and more attention to the Middle East and the Gulf countries in particular, certainly due to the great economic expansion that has made the region an increasingly attractive pole in the eyes…

Fashion looks to Saudi Arabia: Elie Saab celebrates the 45th anniversary of its brand.

For the past few years, fashion has been paying more and more attention to the Middle East and the Gulf countries in particular, certainly due to the great economic expansion that has made the region an increasingly attractive pole in the eyes of various industries. It was in the heart of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, that Elie Saab decided to celebrate the 45th anniversary of his brand.The Lebanese designer organized a fashion show-event called The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab, part of the official calendar of Riyadh Season (a series of entertainment events introduced in 2019. part of the wider Saudi Seasons initiative in support of Saudi Vision 2030), which was attended by a host of superstars from the Middle East and around the world. Some of them, such as Nancy Ajram, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Camila Cabello, helped make the evening even more memorable with their live performances.

Jennifer Lopez

From left to right: Camila Cabello, Celine Dion, Elie Saab, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry

Nancy Ajram

There are several reasons why Mr Saab chose to celebrate this important anniversary in Saudi Arabia.
First of all, it is a country linked to the designer's personal history and, as he himself admits, holds a special place in his heart: 'it is the first place outside Lebanon where I dared, succeeded and set out for bigger dreams and horizons'. Unsurprisingly, the collection presented on the catwalk is full of references to the Arab culture of yesterday and today, including traditional embroideries and sequins. Starting with the name of the show, Elie Saab's 1001 Seasons, which is reminiscent of the famous collection of Arabian Nights tales. "Through this fashion show, I would like to convey a message of beauty without boundaries," says Saab, "Moreover, I believe that the Arab world is rich in talents who spread their creativity globally."

A goal that we can define as successfully fulfilled in the show - a true spectacle that unites East and West, but also fashion, music and entertainment. "From the moment we started thinking about it, over a year ago, to the final execution, this event was the result of tireless collaboration, fuelled by the unwavering support of His Excellency Turki Al Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. His dedication enabled the realization of a spectacular and breathtaking event," commented the designer at the end of the show.

The show was attended by many personalities who help shape the industry on a daily basis: among them were Karin Roitfeld, who did the styling, choreographer Blanca Li, world-famous actresses Monica Bellucci, Halle Berry and Kelly Rutherford. The faces of the models included some of the industry's most famous: from Maria Carla Boscono to Eva Herzigova, to Amelia Grey and Stella Maxwell.

Monica Bellucci

Kelly Rutherford

Amelia Gray