Despite having more than four decades of magical red carpet moments behind him, as well as a full 20 years since becoming the first Arab designer to join the official Paris haute couture calendar, Elie Saab still prefers to let his creations speak for themselves in real life. And although collaboration offers have been coming his way for years, only now did he feel that the time was right.
From 22 October, the long-awaited Elie Saab x H&M collection finally brings his signature glamour, recently seen on Zendaya, Olivia Dean and Eva Longoria, within reach for all of us.
“We have always stayed true to ourselves,” the calm and approachable couturier, who has more than 20 million followers on social media, told us during an exclusive preview of the collection at his Paris showroom. “We have never been driven by fleeting trends. If you look at our archive, all you will see is consistency and exceptional craftsmanship.” He continued: “We wanted to be absolutely certain that we could create something in which every piece would feel special, without making any compromises, because otherwise it would not be Elie Saab. No one expects ‘ordinary’ clothes from Elie Saab.”
The fashion house is currently enjoying a period of strong growth, confirms Elie Saab Jr., vice chairman and CEO of the Elie Saab Group. “As our core business, the group records average annual growth of 35 per cent. I believe we have achieved this precisely because we have remained true to our DNA. Our aim was therefore to bring the very essence of the brand to a new audience, and who better to partner with than H&M? They have already done incredible things with the world’s leading fashion houses.” As expected, the Elie Saab x H&M collection places the emphasis on evening glamour, arriving at the perfect time, just ahead of the festive party season. But the offering also includes daywear, coats, embellished knitwear and accessories, from striking logo drop earrings and vintage-inspired woven scarves to elegant slingback flats and vertiginous platforms that look as though they have come straight from the runway. There are also several menswear accessories and tailored evening jackets that will undoubtedly appeal to everyone.
