Latest news with #ElieSaab
L'Orient-Le Jour
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Elie Saab outdoes himself for his son's wedding
A beloved figure across the Arab world for his talent, legendary humility and global success, Lebanese designer Elie Saab is often regarded as regional royalty. Following the high-profile 2019 wedding of his eldest son, Elie Jr., to Christina Mourad, it was now the turn of his middle son, Celio, to step into the spotlight. On July 18, Celio Saab, 31, married Jordanian Zein Qutami in a wedding that lit up Arab and international media and generated hundreds of thousands of views across social media. Celio, who oversees events for the Elie Saab fashion house, appeared radiant at the side of his new wife. A look back on Saab's last collection: Marina Raphael and Elie Saab: Couture bags and a family spirit A grand entrance in BkirkiLike his brother, Celio held the religious ceremony at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki, where Patriarch...
The Star
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Turmoil or not, luxury fashion can't afford to ignore the Middle East region
Elie Saab held its 45th anniversary show in Riyadh last November, featuring a performance from Celine Dion. Photo: Instagram/Elie Saab With Middle East airspace reopening and the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran appearing to hold, the luxury fashion sector is still counting on the region's wealthy shoppers to help offset weakness in its main US and Chinese markets – for now. The Middle East, helped by strong tourist flows and local wealth, has bucked a recent global slowdown in luxury sales that is expected to deepen this year, with some brands growing sales there at double-digit rates. Luxury sales in Gulf countries were up 6% to US$12.8bil (approximately RM54.1bil) of the nearly US$400bil (RM1.7tril) market last year, outpacing a global drop of 2%, with strong appetite for high-end fashion, jewellery and beauty products, retail consultant Chalhoub Group said. However, that trade is heavily dependent on the region's burgeoning tourist trade, with consulting firm Bain estimating that some 50-60% of the Middle East's luxury sales come from tourists. Read more: Though absent, Giorgio Armani's vision still comes to life at Milan Fashion Week This month's outbreak of an air war between Israel and Iran emphasised the ongoing risks in a region in which unrest was already simmering, with airlines cancelling flights and rerouting planes following Israel's strikes against Iran on June 13 – measures that are now being unwound. "At this point, we have not adjusted our long-term growth forecast, as we continue to see considerable potential in the region," said Federica Lovato, senior partner at Bain. "However, short-term volatility has increased in the last few weeks and may continue, depending on how the situation develops." The region is an important hub for travel spending, favoured by Russian oligarchs but also wealthy Asians, and has increased in importance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered sanctions and the rerouting of flights between Europe and Asia from more northerly routes to the Middle East. It also serves as a gateway for high-end brands to reach wealthy shoppers from India, where high tariffs have kept companies like LVMH from expanding store networks. Max Heinemann, co-CEO of travel retail group Gebr Heinemann, which recently expanded into Saudi Arabia and operates airport fashion retail stores carrying luxury brands in Jeddah, said the region's travel market has shown long-term resilience despite unrest. He remains optimistic: "Dips may be witnessed, but growth will remain." At Prada, first-quarter sales in the region rose 26% year-on-year, while Hermes' sales there were up 14%. High-end fashion and jewellery brands have been opening new stores and hosting splashy events. Milan-based menswear label Zegna this month took its spring collection to the opera house in Dubai, the region's leading luxury hub, for a catwalk show in an elaborate set evoking an Italian villa. Read more: Uncovering Valentino's fashion legacy: Celebrities, luxury and the power of red Elie Saab held its 45th anniversary show in Riyadh last November, featuring a performance from Celine Dion. Dior, Saint Laurent and Valentino last year opened stores in Bahrain, while this year Louis Vuitton brought guests to the Dubai desert for a dawn meal and Chanel hosted a dinner in Abu Dhabi linked to a high jewellery launch. But maintaining visitor numbers to Middle Eastern destinations will be vital to bringing shoppers through the doors. Luxury travel agency Global Travel Moments says that for now, its long-term travel volumes to the Middle East have been unaffected by the latest unrest. However, given recent events, there is currently "certainly more caution" before finalising trips to the broader Middle East, it said. – Reuters
LBCI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- LBCI
Elie Saab brings global spotlight to Lebanon with son's stunning wedding in Faqra
Report by Petra Abou Haydar, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian In a lavish three-day celebration that lit up the town of Faqra, Celio Saab—son of internationally acclaimed fashion designer Elie Saab—married Jordanian bride Zein Qutami in a wedding that captured national and regional attention. Over the course of three nights, the wedding drew widespread attention—but at its heart, it marked the beginning of a four-year love story between a young man and woman. Because the groom is the son of a globally renowned designer, the event took on a larger-than-life significance—filled with powerful, if unspoken, messages. Despite Elie Saab's international success, he chose to celebrate his son's wedding in Lebanon, in the area where his children grew up and built lasting memories. For him, the decision was instinctive—rooted in his deep connection to his homeland and its people. That choice brought dozens of celebrities and top business figures to Lebanon, especially from the United Arab Emirates, where the groom works, and Jordan, the bride's home country. The guests were introduced to the country from which Saab launched his career. The celebration gave a boost to Lebanon's tourism sector, particularly in the Faqra region, which saw thousands of attendees over three nights. More than 1,200 guests attended, including prominent Lebanese and international celebrities, both residents and expatriates. The wedding also highlighted Lebanese brands that have earned global recognition. From Elie Saab's own haute couture bridal gowns—crafted with exceptional detail—to the dresses worn by many of the women in attendance, the event showcased the designer's reach. Many top Lebanese artists who have achieved international acclaim were also present. Though a wedding, the event felt more like a glamorous artistic festival, celebrating Lebanese creativity and reaffirming that, despite its challenges, Lebanon remains a hub of beauty, art, and distinction. Here's to hoping that one day, weddings like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' will be hosted in Lebanon instead of Venice. After all, Lebanon has everything it takes—so why not?
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Zein Qutami wows in three Elie Saab gowns at fairytale wedding to Celio Saab
ALBAWABA - Zein Qutami stunned in three breathtaking Elie Saab gowns during her lavish wedding to Celio Saab. Zein Qutami picked a unique outfit to shine in for her wedding to Celio Saab. Each wedding dress had a different style in terms of design and details. Elie Saab, her husband's father, made them all. The first dress exuded a sense of grandeur and royalty, while the second showcased a striking, modern style, showcasing the diversity of Zein Qutami's tastes and choices on this significant day. The first look Zein Qutami wore was a ballroom-style dress with chiffon arms that fell off the shoulder. The holes on the dress, shoulders, and sleeves really made this dress stand out. They gave the bride a beautiful glow. Zein Qutami finished her look with a long, pretty veil that went down and matched the length of her dress's train. Zein Qutami Instagram profile Zein picked small earrings and a diamond tiara to finish her look. And Bassam Fattouh did the bride's makeup. He gave her a beautiful look by bronzing her face and adding pink accents. The second dress was delightful to look at. It was long and narrow, and the top was very open. The dress had big, shiny stitching all over it. It had beautiful cuts on the sides and back that made it stand out. The veil was made of the same material as the dress, and it went well with the whole look. Zein Qutami Instagram profile She had a beautiful half-up look with her hair pulled back. Her makeup had bright peach colors that were perfect for summer and a shimmery highlighter. During the third night of Zein Qutami's wedding to Celio Saab, who is the son of Elie Saab, Zein stood out with a unique look that had a modern disco vibe. The elegant ceremony was just one of the numerous events that took place. Zein Qutami wore an elegant silver Elie Saab dress with many small details and artistic stitching that made it sparkle. The short, tight cut of the dress showed off the body, and the long, sheer skirt that flowed from it gave the outfit a bright, unique touch. The dress's top had a sweetheart-shaped, strapless cut that made it look more feminine while still being classy and understated. Zein wore big, round diamond earrings with the outfit. Jamalouki Magazine Instgram profile For her hairdo, Zein Qutami chose waves with big curls and a simple side part. This gave her an elegant look that fit in with the party mood. Bassam Fattouh did her makeup, and he used warm brown shades that made her skin look better in a way that was natural and went well with the color of her dress. Jamalouki Magazine Instgram profile While Célio Saab wore a black jacket, a black T-shirt, and pants that matched, he looked both current and classic. He wore sports shoes with the outfit.
UAE Moments
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Zein Qutami Marries Celio Saab in Glam Lebanese Wedding
Abu Dhabi-raised Palestinian-Jordanian influencer Zein Qutami and Celio Saab, son of legendary designer Elie Saab, tied the knot in a lavish celebration that combined family legacy, iconic fashion, and fairytale romance. The wedding weekend was split across two dreamy events. The pre-wedding bash, held on July 17 with sweeping mountain views and a towering 10-tier cake, set the tone. But it was the July 19 ceremony at Lebanon's historic Bkerki Church that stole the spotlight. The guest list? Only 1,000+ big names like Nancy Ajram, Karen Wazen, and Balqees Fathi. Meet Zein Qutami Raised in Abu Dhabi, Zein is known for her soft-glam aesthetic and warm social media presence. She's a lifestyle influencer with roots in both Palestine and Jordan. Her love story with Celio began in Dubai in 2021 and reached its dreamy peak with a custom-designed engagement ring and now, an unforgettable wedding. The Fashion Moment (Times Two) Naturally, the gowns were the talk of the town. Elie Saab designed two custom masterpieces for his daughter-in-law. For the ceremony, Zein wore a long-sleeved, silver-embroidered gown with a cathedral train and a matching veil and headpiece. The caption on Instagram read: "Five sketches, three prototypes, and 780 hours later... We take you behind the scenes of Zein's custom creation by Maison Elie Saab." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamalouki Magazine (@jamaloukimag) The second gown, worn during the candlelit reception, was pure drama: a champagne-toned mermaid silhouette with a plunging neckline, a 4.5-meter overskirt, and intricate crystal and sequin embroidery. In her Harper's Bazaar Arabia interview, Zein described the look as 'something radiant and unapologetically glamorous.' She added, 'The look was designed to embody boldness and femininity in perfect balance; powerful, yet graceful.' A Love Story Worth the Hype The Qutami-Saab wedding wasn't just a celeb-studded fashion fantasy—it was a celebration of heritage, style, and modern Arab romance.
