EXPANDING A FASHION ICON

Elie Saab Jr., Group CEO and Vice Chairman of ELIE SAAB, is continuing his father’s legacy well beyond the realm of fashion. While focusing on building a long-lasting legacy, he’s exploring new markets and incorporating a future-focused strategy for running one of the region’s biggest fashion houses.

- NANCY BAHMAD

From the busy streets of bustling Beirut to the most luxurious catwalks of fashionable Paris, over more than 40 years, self-taught Lebanese designer Elie Saab has evolved his eponymous brand from being the expression of a single individual's creative vision to becoming a globally recognized fashion empire.

However, his journey to the top is much more than a personal success story; it's a blueprint for building a timeless brand. "I have followed my dreams and pursued my vision, which have brought me to where I am today. This journey has not been easy, requiring hard work and dedication," says Elie Saab, Founder and Creative Director of ELIE SAAB.

Today, ELIE SAAB is synonymous with elegance and luxury, with the brand's designs regularly hitting the headlines as they grace royalty, celebrities, and brides across the globe. In June 2023, Princess Rajwa AI Hussein wore an ELIE SAAB gown as she married Crown Prince AI Hussein of Jordan, with the U.K.'s Princess Kate Middleton also wearing an ELIE SAAB creation as she attended the event. Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Chastain, Rita Ora, and Jessica Biel are also among the brand's A-list international fans.

While the founder's relentless commitment has evolved his name to legendary status among the fashion elite, today Elie Saab's eldest son is leading the strategic vision of the company. It's proving to be a very successful approach for the family business. According to the company head, last year was the best in the brand's history in terms of revenues and profits. "We are achieving top-line growth," says Elie Saab Jr., Group CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of ELIE SAAB. "Since 2020, the company has grown with a CAGR of 45%. In the first half of 2024, we saw 31% year to-date growth."