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."
This story is from the July 2024 edition of Forbes Middle East - English.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2024 edition of Forbes Middle East - English.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NEW AGE
Mahmoud Ghrghar, CEO of the Ghrghar Group, is steering the family business with a democratic approach that prioritizes people. By blending tradition with innovation, he aims to future-proof the company and prepare it for a public offering by 2028.
GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL 2024
International companies play a crucial role in MENA, significantly impacting its economic, technological, and social landscapes.
MONEY MATTERS
Talal AI Ajmi, Founder and CEO of Kuwait-based online broker VI Markets, believes education is key to helping clients understand financial markets before they begin trading. Having found ways to target women and the youth, he's now looking at new ways to increase awareness and access to markets.
THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP CEOs 2024
Our fourth annual list of the top 100 CEOs in the Middle East features many leaders whose influence extends far beyond normal business parameters.
NEW OLD GUARD
Obaid Alrasheed, Managing Director and CEO of Saudi's arab national bank, has been with the organization for his entire 35-year career, yet only took the helm three years ago. As he sees profits soar, he's looking forward to the future.
Grandmaster of Risk
At Prudential Financial, ex-NASA engineer GEORGE PATTERSON runs through a few trillion calculations to make a client happy.
Millionaires Seek New Shores: UAE 2024's Top Destination for Wealth
The tides of wealth are shifting, and in 2024, one destination has emerged as the top magnet for high-net-worth individuals for the third year in a row: the U.A.E.
Fresh Faces on the Global Meets Local 2024 List
Meet the leaders of the companies new to our flagship Global Meets Local list for 2024. Of the 14 new companies, 12 are headquartered in the U.S.
Meet the Women at the Helm of Forbes' Global 2000 Firms
In the male-dominated realm of C-suite leadership, these five trailblazing women are leading top-performing firms on Forbes' Global 2000 2024.
10 CEOs Leading the Biggest Arab Companies in the World
Forbes' Global 2000 2024 features 41 companies from Arab countries, with Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. taking the lead with 16 and 12 companies each, respectively. Meet the executives behind the largest 10 listed Arab companies in the world.
