An explosion of joy is a firewall to the darkness of the world world. Elie Saab is convinced of this. ” Beauty knows no boundaries. In what we perceive and create, we pursue a form of universality. When beauty and creativity are your ultimate goal, the world becomes a wonderful place. “The Lebanese couturier has been guided by this optimistic philosophy for forty-five years. In the soft warmth of the night embracing Riyadh, the designer multiplied his message in front of over a thousand people at a gala event entitled “Les 1001 saisons d’Elie Saab” (Elie Saab’s 1001 seasons). To speak only of a “fashion show” would be reductive, as the event was conceived as a celebration highlighting no less than 300 voluptuous, sparkling gownsselected by Elie Saab with stylist Carine Roitfeld to reflect the label’s different periods.

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To the rhythm of Bianca Li’s meticulously choreographed routines, a wide range of styles generations of supermodelsfrom Helena Christensen to Candice Swanepoel, the French-Saudi Amira Al Zuhair, Eva Herzigova and Adriana Lima. On stage, the energetic Jennifer Lopez opened the show as a revue leader, decked out in Art Deco feathers, and soaring above the troupe of thirty dancers dressed in sequined leotards. The young singer Camila Cabello was no less brilliant, accompanying a floral tableau in which light, airy dresses explored every shade of pink. A naturalistic ode to femininity, deploying the full spectrum of seduction. For many Middle Eastern women, Elie Saab’s style conveys panache. ” His dresses magnify me as a woman, making me feel powerful and recognized.explains one of her local followers. Here, when we say Elie Saab, we say elegance. When I wear one of his dresses, I look at myself in the mirror even more often and think I’m even more beautiful. “

With their warm voices, artists Nancy Ajram and Amr Diab transcend oriental rhythms to magnify Arab cultural expression. In a moment of grace, Céline Dion ignites the audience. Her unexpected presence had been the talk of Riyadh. This was her first visit to Saudi Arabia, and she was delighted to be there for her friend’s celebration. ” His generosity and talent sang with me, because I’ve been wearing his dresses, his talent, for years and years. “says the Quebec star. Draped in gold and adorned with diamonds by Bulgari, she concludes the show on I’m Alivea reminder that she’s still very much with us.

A gentle show of force

The designer looks very emotional on the long catwalk. Everything was seen in grand style. Even to the slightly jaded eyes of Fashion Week regulars, the soft blue velvet armchairs relegate the ” front row The “front row” was a spartan version of the usual fashion chapels. Saudi high society personalities rub shoulders with a mix of prestigious international guests such as American actress Kelly Rutherford and Briton Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. James Bond girls Monica Bellucci and Halle Berry are also eye-catchers. The latter was wearing the same Elie Saab gown she wore to receive the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002. Her style was unmistakable. One by one, the 300 silhouettes drawn from the archives and the new collection pick up the thread of the legendary story of the A Thousand and One Nights. A woman’s allure is revealed as much as her body. Certain messages must remain subliminal.

Behind the scenes, some observers note that what was shown in Riyadh would probably have shocked puritans if the show had taken place in the United States. But Elie Saab enjoys a very special status in Saudi Arabia. ” My journey began in the turmoil of war in Beirut, where I built a world of beauty, grateful for all the opportunities I was given. As the first place outside Lebanon where I was able to settle down, express myself, succeed and open up new horizons and bigger dreams, Saudi Arabia has always held a very special place in my heart. “says the Lebanese, full of gratitude to his hosts. A manifesto for a flamboyant vision of exacerbated femininity, the evening is also a gentle demonstration of strength.

The choice of venue is not insignificant. The Venue, the new hub of Riyadh’s cultural life, is one of the world’s most modern transformable structures. The project is part of the multi-year development program entitled “Vision 2030”, promoted by King Salman Ben Abdelaziz al-Saoud and Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman. By opening its doors to Elie Saab, thanks in particular to the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia intends to demonstrate its status as the creative epicenter of the Arab world. As an added bonus, it’s a good opportunity for the kingdom to convey messages of openness and balance in these troubled times. To see it as a political message would certainly be an exaggeration. The preparation of such a project required three months of production and began over a year ago. Although feared, the current events in Lebanon, which are forcing the brand’s workshops to temporarily withdraw to a safer location, did not interfere with the preparations.

Nevertheless, after the fashion show, many Saudi personalities did not hide their satisfaction at seeing their country send such a signal in the region, but also on a larger scale. ” We’ve put a lot of work into designing this international haute couture event in the heart of Riyadh. And I believe that tonight is a very special, unique event, not only for Riyadh, but also for the whole world and for the fashion industry. “Elie Saab Jr, son of the designer and CEO of the brand, sees it as a page opened to new chapters in the history of the label, whose influence is growing far beyond the Middle East and Hollywood. ” My message transcends borders, it’s living manifestations of joy, in all the fields we’ve explored since I started, beyond what we could have imagined or dreamed. Beauty knows no bounds, and our Arab world is bursting with talent and radiating creativity. “says the designer who has dedicated his life to imagining dresses that will shine until dawn. If there were only one night left, this would be it.