Elie Saab unveils his grandiose fashion show project in Riyadh

Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab unveiled the project for his mega fashion show as part of the Riyadh Season festival, marked by a large series of cultural and entertainment events, particularly in the fields of sport, music, cinema and fashion, which is held in the Saudi capital.

The Elie Saab event will take place on Wednesday, November 13 at 8 p.m. at The Venue, a new multifunctional concert and exhibition space located an hour’s drive from central Riyadh. The Venue recently hosted the 2024 edition of the “Six Kings Slam”, a tennis tournament featuring Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, and which was won by Jannik Sinner.

Titled “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab”, this 90-minute event will revolve around a haute couture fashion show combined with a Hollywood film premiere, all imbued with essence of Riyadh. Saab announces that the show will present a brand new collection, designed exclusively for this event, to celebrate its 45 years of career.

“Inspired by the Arabian Nights, the collection will revisit classic tales from a modern and sumptuous angle,” explained Elie Saab in a press release.

To add a touch of creativity, it’s Carine Roitfeld, stylist and former editor-in-chief of Vogue French, who will ensure the styling of the parade, in order to add “a contemporary touch to the presentation, complementing the timeless elegance of Saab”.

Once known as the high priestess of “porno chic” style, Carine Roitfeld will move considerably away from the sober aesthetic of Saudi fashion.

Another avant-garde initiative: Elie Saab called on Blanca Li, a dancer and choreographer of Spanish origin, influenced by hip-hop and based in Paris, to stage a performance intended to mix movement, music and couture.

The evening will begin with an arrival on the red carpet, followed by an exceptional fashion show, which will take place on several occasions. All punctuated by a series of live international performances. No names have leaked yet, but Elie Saab predicts “a phenomenal surprise, worthy of the event”. To be continued…