It’s not often that you see a fashion show with more than 300 looks and accompanying performances by Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, and Camila Cabello, but this week Elie Saab had plenty to celebrate, as the designer marked the 45th anniversary of his eponymous brand.
The catwalk spectacle, titled “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab,” was a fusion of art, fashion and entertainment that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the annual Riyadh Season.
It was a star-studded affair with celebrities filling the front row and even hitting the catwalk, like Halle Berry, who surprised the audience by walking out in her iconic 2002 Oscars dress.
Ahead, we break down the entire extravaganza.
The evening commemorated 45 years of Elie Saab
Saab said in a statement that “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” was not just an event commemorating the 45 years of the brand but also a chance to “[usher] in fresh years, marked by a pivotal moment laden with hope”.
He added: “Elie Saab’s celebration at Riyadh Season is a culmination of generations of fashion, rooted in traditions that preceded me, and which I have had the privilege of reinvigorating and evolving. The event captured vast expanses of creativity drawn from the essence of Arab culture and its golden years of intellect and innovation, now showcased to the world through this magnificent event.”
Jennifer Lopez
Finally, he closed the letter by saying: “A salute to every bearer of peace and love, and a sincere thank you to those who dream with us of a world worthy of beauty. Each step, as I pledged 45 years ago, is a new beginning, and what lies ahead is undoubtedly more beautiful.”
It was part of the official Riyadh Season calendar
Helena Christensen
Each year, Riyadh Season features a set of concerts, sport matches, cultural events, and more happenings that last throughout the country’s winter season. The tradition was introduced in 2019 by the General Entertainment Authority as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 government program, which aims to drive more tourism to the nation.
According to a press release from the fashion brand, “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” event had been over a year in the making, and it was included as part of the official calendar for the 2024 Riyadh Season. Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Alshaikh served as co-host, alongside Saab himself.
There were starry performances
“The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” was like a mini-Coachella thanks to the impressive roster of performers who took part in the event, including Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, and Camila Cabello, as well as the Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram and the Egyptian musician Amr Diab. Blanca Li, the artistic director of the evening, curated all the numbers that took place throughout.
Other stars in attendance in the audience included Carine Roitfeld, Monica Bellucci, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Poppy Delevingne and Kelly Rutherford, while the likes of Helena Christensen, Candice Swanepoel, Alek Wek, Eva Herzigova, Jourdan Dunn and Adriana Lima took to the catwalk.
Candice Swanepoel
There were more than 300 looks, including Halle Berry‘s legendary Oscars dress
In what was a celebration of nearly five decades of output at Elie Saab, the event included a runway show — a major one, in fact, where Saab unveiled more than 300 designs.
Many dazzling new looks made their debut, but perhaps the standout moment came courtesy of a piece from the archives: the iconic gown that Halle Berry wore to the 2002 Academy Awards. At that ceremony, the Monster’s Ball star made history as the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Leading Actress.
Berry got to model that history-making dress again, and she gushed about the moment on Instagram. “There are some moments in life that just happen and they change our lives forever!” she wrote next to a clip of her walking at the event. “Winning an Academy Award in my @eliesaabworld gown was one of those moments for me! Thank you Mr. Saab for being a part of the tapestry of my life as we have been inextricably connected for 22 years now! It was my honour to celebrate you and your 1001 Seasons. Here’s wishing you many more glorious years of joy, creativity and glamour!”
Celine Dion also performed during the show