Founder and creative director, Elie Saab
Elie Saab
Lebanese, born 1964
Self-taught Lebanese designer who opened his Beirut atelier in 1982 while still a teenager. He became known for embellished evening wear and bridal gowns, joined the Paris haute couture calendar in the early 2000s, and reached a wide audience through red-carpet dressing. The family-run house has since grown into ready-to-wear, accessories, fragrance and home.
Houses
Their runway, measured
241 looks in 4 showsNext to every runway we track, Elie Saab's looks are less neutral, warmer, more tonal and less colour-blocked.
Colours
- Black28%
- Beige / camel · 2.3× the average12%
- Tan · 2.6× the average11%
- Chocolate brown · 1.5× the average9%
- Coral / peach · 5.5× the average7%
- Charcoal6%
- Grey5%
- Ivory / cream5%
Share of garment area across their looks; × is against every runway.
Colour and surface
- Lightness37/100about average · all runways 39/100
- Colour saturation11.5about average · all runways 12.6
- Neutrals51%less neutral · all runways 60%
- Warm hues95%warmer · all runways 70%
- Tonal looks41%more tonal · all runways 33%
- Colour-blockingΔE 24less colour-blocked · all runways ΔE 35
- Surface texture7.27more textured · all runways 5.06
- Sheen0.045more matte · all runways 0.065
What sets them apart
Shapes, fabrics and details they use far more often than other designers.
Silhouettes
- Column 59%2.9×
- Draped 30%2.5×
- Fitted / bodycon 28%2.8×
- Hourglass / cinched waist 27%2.7×
- Asymmetric 25%1.6×
Materials
- Chiffon / organza / tulle 59%4.6×
- Sequins / paillettes 50%7.9×
- Silk / satin 32%1.4×
- Lace 32%4.6×
- Sheer mesh 14%3.2×
Details
- Beading / crystals 58%5.0×
- Cape back / train 46%8.8×
- Embroidery 43%5.3×
- Draping 30%2.2×
- Appliques / 3D flowers 28%4.6×
Patterns
- Floral 26%3.1×
- Geometric 12%3.4×
- Ombre / gradient 7%3.0×
- Abstract print 6%1.3×
- Animal print 4%2.5×
Mood
- Elegant 78%1.8×
- Glamorous 58%5.4×
- Romantic 48%3.0×
- Sensual 43%3.9×
- Dark 33%2.5×
Era references
- 1930s 10%8.3×
- 1970s 10%
- 1920s 9%7.1×
- 1950s 7%2.7×
- 1990s 6%
From the AI tags on 240 of their looks. A designer is credited with a house's shows while they lead it; ×: how much more often than across all 25,892 measured looks.
