In 16 September 2010 the Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab presented his Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 Pret-A-Porter collection induring the official opening of "Beirut Souks," a 100,000 sq. meter shopping mall in downtown Beirut, Lebanon for the first time in at least 18 years in his homeland, He was awaiting that moment with excitement, he says. However he never wanted to rush things and preferred to wait for Beirut to become the “glamorous” place he had always dreamed of. “I wanted to see my country and Beirut like that, I want this city to become a fashion icon”. With the new Beirut Souks, it seems that the dream has come true.
Asked about his expatriation and his positions towards the politics in his country, Saab answers that he has never left Lebanon; “My main place of residency was always here”. About politics, he suggests that “we should think about it too much or else we’ll never do anything”.
Refusing, unlike other brands, to give up haute couture, Saab supports that “as long as there will be women, there has to be haute couture (…) it is essential for femininity and glamour”. Tonight’s show however will present his ready to wear collection.
And in celebration for this big return to your homeland, will there be Lebanese girls on the catwalk? Unfortunately not, Elie Saab still prefers to go by the “international criteria of beauty”…
Some pictures from the show
The show was so amazing ...
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Maria & Hinde
