Elie Saab by Janie Samet: A book for lovers of high fashion

elie saab coverAn oversize edition presented in a luxury slipcase, “Elie Saab” is for lovers of high fashion! It’s a coffee table book which happens to be a conversation piece, too.

Written by French journalist Janie Samet, the “High Priestess of Fashion”, this large format tome is filled with beautiful imagery from the Haute Couture House’s archives, including original photography by the revered Laziz Hamani.

Each chapter covers a different stage in the brand’s evolution; from ELIE SAAB’s beginnings in wartime Lebanon to the emergence of the Haute Couture and ready-to-wear lines, revealing the secrets behind the designer’s master craftsmanship and providing a rare glimpse into the exclusive world of dressing the world’s most glamourous and elegant clientele.

“My signature look is a combination of a glamorous silhouette and feminine details.” — Elie Saab

Self-taught fashion designer Elie Saab’s interest in design started at age nine, when he began making clothes for his sisters and by the time was an adolescent he was already selling his creations to many of the women in his neighborhood.

In 1982, at the age of 18, he opened his Couture atelier in Beirut and shortly after presented his first collection, which won much critical attention. His reputation rapidly transcended borders, and high-society women the world over instantly desired an Elie Saab dress.

In 2002, Halle Berry was wearing one of his gowns when she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress, cementing ELIE SAAB’s red carpet presence internationally.

In 2007 he established an Haute Couture salon and flagship boutique in Paris. Beirut however remains the soul of his inspiration, where the company has its ateliers and design studios.

The designer is renowned for magnifying femininity, building his fairytale creations with the finest materials, intricately detailed hand-embroidery, and a sophisticated fusion of cultural influences.

Elie Saab’s specialty is in creating the ultimate dress that highlights a woman’s silhouette, making him a go-to designer for international celebrities and royalty—including Angelina Jolie, Celine Dion, Kate Winslet, Carla Bruini-Sarkozy, Princess Victoria of Sweden, and Charlotte Casiraghi.