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."
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Forbes Middle East - English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Forbes Middle East - English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CONSCIOUS INVESTING
VentureSouq's cofounders and general partners, Suneel Gokhale, Sonia Gokhale, Tammer Qaddumi, and Sonia Weymuller, are actively reshaping the investment landscape. With $250 million in assets under management, the thematic fund manager is forging a distinct path, with a focus on fintech and climate tech.
VENTURING BEYOND CAPITAL
In just seven years, Shane Shin and Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partners of Shoroog Partners, have turned their startup into one of the Middle East’s biggest startup investors, with 500 million in assets under management. With ambitions far beyond venture capital, they’re now expanding further into credit markets and looking at where they can be pioneers.
ROCK STAR
WHAT IF THE REVOLUTIONARY TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED TO FRACK ROCKS FOR OIL COULD BE MODIFIED TO UNLOCK LIMITLESS CLEAN ENERGY FROM THE HEAT OF THE EARTH’S CRUST?
Breaking New Territory
Moroccan-Canadian singer and 30 Under 30 alumna Faouzia is having her biggest year yet and enjoying newfound fame in China. As her stardom rises, she’s now exploring new projects and possibilities.
5 Biggest MENA IPOs of 2024
This year has been pivotal for MENA, marked by a series of high-profile IPOs that drew interest from local and international investors. Here’s a look at the five biggest IPOs that defined 2024.
TOP VENTURE CAPITALISTS
MENA has emerged as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic landscape for startups.
Top Funding Rounds in MENA 2024
This year has seen some of MENA’s largest-ever funding rounds. Here’s a look at five standout deals. Only startups that were founded less than 10 years ago and had disclosed their funding rounds as of November 27, 2024, were considered.
Key Insights From MENA's Funding Landscape
MENA saw a mixed performance in the first nine months of 2024.
A Look Ahead: Travel Trends Shaping 2025
What will drive wanderlust in 2025? Here’s a look at the key travel trends set to dominate the year.
Codebreakers
Backed by 200 million in funding, 28-year-old SCOTT WU and his team of competitive coders at Cognition are building an Al tool that can program entirely on its own, potentially disintegrating the whole industry. Is its 2 billion valuation the result of a true breakthrough, or just more Al hype?
