Elie Saab pulled out all the stops and then some to celebrate the 45th anniversary of his eponymous brand in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The epic soirée, dubbed The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab, was attended by 900 guests and featured 90 models in a 300-look fashion show—quite a tour de force performance. The evening had the feeling of an Oscars night with local celebrities and influencers decked out in full glam walking a mile-long red carpet in a lavish venue built from scratch for the occasion.
Choreographed by Spanish dancer Blanca Li and styled by Carine Roitfeld, the show was a dazzling stream of haute couture creations radiating such shimmer, they could make Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors seem subdued. Many gowns were crafted specifically for the occasion, while others were revived from the designer’s archives. The lineup was quintessentially Saab, with goddess dresses galore dripping in feathers, sumptuous drapings, and, of course, an abundance of unapologetic glamour.
Unfolding in four thematic tableaux, the Broadway-style production was punctuated by live performances from an exuberant Jennifer Lopez, wearing a skimpy fringed bodysuit à la Liza Minnelli, and Camila Cabello, zingy in a sequined bustier minidress paired with matching thigh-high boots. The spectacular celebration reached its peak with the dazzling appearance of Celine Dion. Clad in a regal chiffon cape dripping with gold sequins over a matching body-hugging mermaid number, she brought the house down with goose-bumping renditions of “The Power of Love” and “I’m Alive.”
“She performed only one song at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris,” quipped a beaming Saab backstage. He was flanked by an emotional Halle Berry (wearing the same Elie Saab dress from her 2002 Oscar win for Monster’s Ball), and a statuesque Monica Bellucci (in an austere, stark black gown, a rare Saab specimen devoid of embellishments). Also in attendance: Poppy Delevingne, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, and Kelly Rutherford, who mingled with Eva Herzigova, Vittoria Ceretti, Helena Christensen, Amelia Gray, and Maria Carla Boscono.
The event was part of Riyadh Season 2024, an annual festival that launched in 2019 in Saudi Arabia’s capital showcasing sports, fashion, and entertainment. “Celebrating my 45-year career here makes me immensely proud,” remarked Lebanese-born Elie Saab. “The region has so much culture to offer, and I feel a responsibility to serve as its ambassador to the world.”
Saab established his maison in 1982 at just 18. This show was not only a tribute to his mastery of couture but also a testament to the resilience of his creativity and dedication to his Beirut-based atelier. “I worked on this collection as Lebanon and Beirut were under bombardment,” he shared, referring to the recent attacks that have afflicted his homeland. “What’s happening is heartbreaking and distressing. But we’ve endured such conditions many times, always coming back stronger and more driven. This event, a year in the making and requiring immense effort, is proof of our commitment to share a message of resilience, hope, and positivity.” When asked about future plans, he added, “The future is in God’s hands. I always believe that tomorrow will bring something better and brighter.”
