Notes

Elie Saab (born July 4, 1964), is a Lebanese fashion designer. His main workshop is in Lebanon, with additional workshops in Milan and Paris. In 1982, Saab launched his Beirut-based fashion label when he was 18 years old with a team of 15 employees. At first, his atelier was specialized in bridal couture making wedding dresses and gowns using rich fabrics, lace, detailed embroidery, pearls, crystals and silk threads. In Beirut, his reputation grew from dressing the women in his neighborhood, and was soon enhanced by high society women who began sporting his designs. In 1999, Queen Rania of Jordan wore Elie Saab for her enthronement. One of his dresses—somewhat less demure, presumably, than Queen Rania's, and thickly embroidered with emeralds and diamonds—was reportedly sold for $2.4 million. He became an overnight success after he became the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner, Halle Berry, in 2002. Berry wore a burgundy gown by Saab to the 2002 Academy Awards when she won for Best Actress. After this night, the designer was bombarded with interviews and appeared on at least 5 TV networks.Berry later wore another dress by Saab, this time a gold dress, to the 2003 Oscars.