16 Facts About Elie Saab

Elie Saab was born on 4 July 1964 and is a Lebanon-based fashion designer.

Elie Saab is the first Lebanese to be admitted to the fashion industry's governing body, Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

Elie Saab is the eldest son, of five children, born in Beirut, to a Maronite Catholic wood merchant in Damour, a southern coastal suburb in Beirut, Lebanon.

In 1981, Elie Saab moved to Paris to study fashion, dropping out to return to Beirut.

In 1997, Elie Saab was the first non-Italian designer to become a member of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, and in 1997 he showed his first collection outside Lebanon in Rome.

Elie Saab became more well known in the United States after he became the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner, Halle Berry, in 2002.

In 2010, Elie Saab dressed 102 celebrities for events overall, up from 40 in 2009.

In 2011, Elie Saab launched his first fragrance Le Parfum.

Saab's son, Elie Saab Jr, became brand director in 2013.

Elie Saab appeared as a judge on Project Runway: Middle East in 2016.

Between 2015 and 2017, the Elie Saab company opened a second Paris boutique and a new location in London's Mayfair, and in Manhattan.

Also that month, the Elie Saab company opened a new Madison Avenue store.

Luxury fashion designer Elie Saab has partnered with Samana Developers to launch Samana Ocean Views, an exclusive residential project in the Maldives.

Elie Saab has been worn by Queen Rania of Jordan, Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Stephanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a Elie Saab-designed dress on her wedding.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore a gown designed by him to the Royal Ascot in 2019, marking the first occasion where Elie Saab has dressed a member of the British royal family.