Fashion

Inside Elie Saab’s Atelier in Beirut

The Lebanese fashion designer invites us into his world.

Produced by Christina Ohly Evans
Photographs by Natalie Naccache March 20, 2017

Elie Saab, the Lebanese couturier known for his dramatic, embroidered gowns recently opened a store on Madison Avenue, in New York City—his first in the United States. To mark the occasion, Surface takes you inside his atelier in Beirut.

Click on the slideshow below for an exclusive look inside Saab’s world.

Inside Elie Saab's Studio

Inside Elie Saab's Studio

Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Part of a jacket being made in Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A jacket being made in Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being trimmed by an employee at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A pattern of a dress being drawn out at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being made in Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A detail of a dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Fabrics and embroidery of a dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Details of a wedding dress at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A wedding dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A wall full of spools of colored threads at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A cushion pin being used at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

An employee draws a pattern for a dress to be made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Tambour beading by employees at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being made at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Tambour beading by employees at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress being sewn at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Bird designs before being sewn onto a dress, at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

A dress pattern at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Tambour beading by an employee at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Tambour beading by employees at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Beads at Elie Saab’s main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

Elie Saab, Lebanese fashion designer in the building of his main workshop in Beirut, Lebanon.

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