Elie Saab Marks 45 Years of Fashion Design in Riyadh
A few weeks ago, it was announced that the House of Elie Saab would hold a special show in Riyadh this November as part of Riyadh Season. While details were scarce, it was clear the event would go beyond a regular fashion show, leaving attendees eager to see what was in store.
The House aimed to create a unique experience for over 1,000 guests and a live audience on MBC by blending fashion and entertainment. The event was styled by French fashion icon Carine Roitfeld and choreographed by Spanish filmmaker and choreographer Blanca Li. Called *1001 Seasons*, the show featured 300 outfits and performances by stars like Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Camila Cabello, Amr Diab, and Nancy Ajram.
The event took place on November 13, 2024, at The Venue in Riyadh, hosted by Elie Saab and Turki Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Alshaikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. It was the first event at The Venue, a new space introduced for Riyadh Season.
The show started with American actress Halle Berry, who wore the same dress Elie Saab designed for her at the 2002 Oscars, where she won Best Actress for *Monster’s Ball*. She became emotional as she talked about that moment. “I’m so proud. I’ve known him for 22 years,” she said in her speech. This was the first time Berry met Saab in person. “Meeting him and giving him a hug was so special,” she added.
The event featured 300 unique designs inspired by *One Thousand and One Nights* (also known as *Arabian Nights*), a famous collection of Middle Eastern fairy tales from the Islamic Golden Age. Elie Saab reimagined these stories with a modern touch, highlighting Arabian heritage through his signature style.
Many notable guests attended, including Elie Saab Jr., Claudine Saab, Egyptian cinema icon Youssra, actresses Tara Emad, Amina Khalil, and Sulafa Mimar, as well as Italian actress Monica Bellucci and American actress Kelly Rutherford. Famous models like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jourdan Dunn, Adriana Lima, Alek Wek, Candice Swanepoel, and Poppy Delevingne were also present.
The show was a mix of entertainment and fashion. J.Lo kicked things off with Gloria Gaynor’s *I Will Survive* and then sang her own song, *Una Noches Más.* Camila Cabello performed her hits, *Señorita* and *Havana,* with a group of backup dancers. While the singers performed, models walked the runway, adding to the spectacle. Amr Diab and Nancy Ajram added a touch of Arabian flair with their performances.
The grand finale had the crowd on their feet. Celine Dion descended a spiral staircase, full of drama and emotion, as she sang *The Power of Love.* She was joined on stage by Elie Saab, other performers, and a group of models. The audience cheered loudly as the show came to an end. It was a dazzling night where tradition blended beautifully with modern style.
Published: 18th November 2024
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