Elie Saab Red Dress

From his humble beginnings as a self-taught designer in war-torn Lebanon, Elie Saab has grown his fashion label into a global empire. Saab’s haute couture, ready-to-wear and bridal collections — as well as his fragrances, jewelry and home furnishings — are found in more than 160 locations worldwide, and vintage Elie Saab dresses and gowns are fashion favorites all over the globe.

Saab was born in 1964 in Damour, a coastal suburb of Beirut. At the age of nine, he taught himself how to sew, making clothing for his sister out of scraps of material he would find in his mother’s closet. Aside from spending one year attending a fashion school in Paris, Saab has no formal education in design. However, his innate talents soon caught the eye of Lebanon’s fashion elite.

In 1982, aged only 18, Saab opened a dressmaking studio in Beirut, employing 15 workers to create his bridal couture designs. That same year, he made his fashion debut with his elaborate wedding dresses featuring high-quality silks and lace, detailed embroidery and pearl and crystal embellishments. Despite his young age and a raging war in Lebanon, Saab’s reputation as a leading bridalwear designer soared.

In the 1990s, Saab focused on expanding his designs to include evening gowns and day dresses. His approach to fashion — a combination of Middle Eastern ornamentation with Western silhouettes — was fresh and unique, garnering serious interest among Europe’s most acclaimed fashion organizations. 

In 1997, the prestigious Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana invited Saab to show in Rome, and he became the organization’s first non-Italian member. In 2000, he was asked to present in Paris by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Coutre of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode — in 2006, he became their first Arab member.

Throughout his career, Saab has dressed and continues to dress the world’s most renowned celebrities and royalty. In 1999, Queen Rania of Jordan chose an Elie Saab design to wear to her husband’s coronation. In 2002, Halle Berry dressed in a floral and burgundy Elie Saab gown at the Academy Awards, where she won the Oscar for best actress. Saab’s clothes, shoes and handbags are also frequently worn by such stars as Angelina Jolie, Katy Perry, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, to name a few. 

Saab’s fashion house continues to grow and evolve. In 2011, he launched his debut fragrance, Le Parfum, and in 2019, he started a home collection, collaborating with Italian designer Carlo Colombo on Art Deco–inspired tables, armchairs and other furniture.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of Elie Saab clothing, furniture and jewelry.

From museum-worthy vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing available on 1stDibs could talk, it would certainly make a statement. 

For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers — think Galliano and Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures. Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino and other titans of the era can take a simpler ensemble to the next level, while chic and practical suits from the likes of Christian Dior and Chanel remain classic for haute couture advocates and beyond. By exploring the vast array of vintage collections on these pages, you can transform your closet into a retreat that is as retro as it is royal. 

Velvet cocktail dresses and silk evening gowns designed by French-born American couturiere Pauline Trigère — who dressed Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor — have proven timeless since their mid-century debut, while an overcoat by Alexander McQueen is the perfect finishing touch. In fact, an emerald one stays in rotation for Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Those seeking modern high-fashion brands are also in luck. Turn your day-to-day into a runway with selections from Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace or complete that fresh look with stunning footwear classics from the likes of Gucci and Christian Louboutin. The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing. 

Build your collection of covetable and iconic vintage garments by shopping on 1stDibs. No matter where you roam, our diverse apparel and accessories will keep you covered in the hottest styles and comfiest black hoodie imaginable.