logo
Elie Saab's son weds at sparkling three-day celebration in Lebanon

Elie Saab's son weds at sparkling three-day celebration in Lebanon

The National6 days ago
Celio Saab, son of the Lebanese couturier Elie Saab, married his fiancee, Zein Qutami, in Lebanon.
Surrounded by friends and family, the pair exchanged vows at the historic Bkerke church in Jounieh, followed by a glittering reception as part of the three-day celebration. The bride, of course, wore Elie Saab.
With a fashion designer as her new father-in-law, all eyes were on Qutami and her outfits for the each of the events.
For the pre-wedding party, which kicked off the three-day event, Qutami wore a fitted champagne-toned dress, with a beaded bodice and a floor-length, pleated skirt, paired with a matching sheer cape hanging from her shoulders. The groom, meanwhile, wore a single-breasted taupe suit with an open-necked shirt.
For the wedding day, the bride wore two looks. She arrived at the church on the arm of her father, wearing a shimmering, off-the-shoulder, silver embellished gown with long sleeves.
Fully fitted, the dress featured an overskirt that extended into a cathedral-length train, and was finished with a large ivory bow at the back. Over this, Qutami wore a gossamer veil that was the length of the train. She finished the look with a small bouquet of white and silver flowers, emerald-cut drop diamond earrings and a small headpiece.
For the evening event, the bride switched into a champagne-coloured gown, with a similar full skirt and vertical lines of silver beading. She wore a matching veil and carried a small bouquet of tonal flowers. The look was finished with the same diamond earrings. Her husband wore a formal black tuxedo to both events.
For the third day of celebrations, Qutami wore a strapless, sweetheart-cut dress in powder blue, which also featured intricate beading. Her husband, meanwhile, arrived looking relaxed wearing all black, wearing a jacket over a T-shirt.
In addition to creating the bridal gowns for his new daughter-in-law, Elie Saab also dressed many of the high-profile guests in attendance.
Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi wore a rose gold beaded and sequinned strapless gown to attend the wedding. "What a magical night," she wrote on Instagram in a post congratulating the couple.
Also in attendance was Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, who wore a fitted, cap-sleeved gown with rich gold sequins and beads.
Other guests included influencer Karen Wazen, who arrived in a mustard yellow, halter-neck look with dramatic slashed sleeves, as well as television host Jessica Azar, who wore a black look, made of horizontal bands of cross-hatched beading. Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim was also in attendance.
Singer Assi El Hallani shared videos of himself serenading the happy couple at the wedding.
The lavish event is the first high-profile Saab family wedding since Elie Saab Jr married Christina Mourad in 2019. The pair have since had two children, Sophia, four, and Elie, two.
Celio is the middle son of Elie and Claudine Saab. The newlywed couple met in Dubai in 2021 and they continue to live in the UAE.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Composer Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer
Composer Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Composer Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

Ziad Rahbani, a Lebanese composer, playwright and political commentator known for his influential role in Arabic theatre and music, has died aged 69. The cause of death has yet to be announced. The son of renowned singer Fairouz and composer the late Assi Rahbani, Ziad Rahbani is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive creative voices to emerge from Lebanon in the past five decades. Toufic Maatouk, Lebanese composer and musicologist, told The National: 'Ziad Rahbani's music is a voice carved from Lebanon's soul. He called it 'oriental jazz,' but it was more – a fusion of Arabic melodies, funk, and jazz that sounded unmistakably Lebanese. Each note carried Beirut's chaos, warmth, and wit. Ziad's artistry wasn't imitation, it was invention, born from home.' Rahbani rose to prominence during the Lebanese Civil War through a series of acclaimed plays and musical works that combined colloquial Lebanese dialogue, jazz and classical Arabic music with political and social critique. He was born in Beirut in 1956 into one of the Arab world's most prominent musical families. He began his professional career at an early age, composing Saalouni El Nass in 1973, which Fairouz performed during a period when Assi Rahbani was recovering from a stroke. In the years that followed, Ziad Rahbani established himself as an important figure in Beirut's cultural scene. His early theatre productions including Nazl el-Sourour explored themes of civil conflict, sectarianism and everyday life in Lebanon with a satirical and often provocative tone. Rahbani was an outspoken political commentator, often expressing support for leftist movements and criticising the Lebanese political establishment. While his views were often polarising, he remained a leading voice in regional cultural and political discourse. In addition to his theatre work, Rahbani continued to compose music throughout his career, including a number of collaborations with his mother, in the 1980s. Albums such as Maarifti Feek and Wahdon introduced lyrical and musical directions for the celebrated musician, often reflecting more personal or socially conscious themes. Although he gave few interviews in his later years, Rahbani continued to perform live, frequently mixing music with political commentary during his concerts. His influence extends to several generations of Arab musicians, writers and performers. In recent years, the rise of the Habibi funk movement has won Rahbani fans around the world, with albums including Houdou Nisbi, Amrak Seedna & Abtal Wa Harameyah and Bennesbeh Labokra … Chou? reissued internationally on vinyl to great acclaim. Arab musicians pay tribute to Ziad Rahbani Lebanese musician Tania Salah, considered one of the founding voices of the country's independent music culture, says that Rahbani is the true architect of the scene. 'Some people like to think the indie scene started with us. I don't think so. I believe it started with him, because he was already independent – from his family, from the Lebanese music scene, and even from the larger Arab world. His influences came from everywhere. He was the true first,' says Salah. Mayssa Kara, singer and artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi, said that Rahbani's current influence extended far beyond his artistic output. 'Ziad Rahbani was more than just a musician; he was a voice, a mirror, and a pulse for Lebanon,' said Kara. 'He taught generations how to speak the truth through music, no matter how uncomfortable that truth was. His art was always based on his deep love for his country and its people, and this love shaped every lyric, melody, and story he told. 'People of all ages, classes, and faiths could relate to Ziad's music because it was so real. As a musician, he broke all the rules and didn't follow trends or fit into moulds, carving out a path that countless artists, including myself, have drawn inspiration from. He showed us that music could be both heartbreaking and full of humour,' Kara says. 'Ziad, rest in music. Your music, your words, and your spirit will always live on in the hearts of the people of Lebanon. Without you, we might not even know what Lebanon means, but maybe that's the beauty of your legacy: you've become part of the country's very definition.' Emirati composer Ihab Darwish says: 'For us, this is a tragedy. It feels like we've lost one of the most iconic musicians in the Arab world. 'While I never met him, I consider him one of my idols. He taught me a lot about blending different genres. He also clearly has a storytelling style that is very similar to mine – ensuring that music has a narrative and theme.'

Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer
Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Ziad Rahbani, 'the voice of Lebanon's soul', dies at 69: Tributes pour in for beloved composer

Ziad Rahbani, a Lebanese composer, playwright and political commentator known for his influential role in Arabic theatre and music, has died aged 69. A cause of death has yet to be announced. The son of renowned singer Fairouz and composer Assi Rahbani, Rahbani is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive creative voices to emerge from Lebanon in the past five decades. Toufic Maatouk, Lebanese composer and musicologist, told The National: "Ziad Rahbani's music is a voice carved from Lebanon's soul. He called it 'oriental jazz,' but it was more – a fusion of Arabic melodies, funk, and jazz that sounded unmistakably Lebanese. Each note carried Beirut's chaos, warmth, and wit. Ziad's artistry wasn't imitation, it was invention, born from home." Rahbani rose to prominence during the Lebanese Civil War through a series of acclaimed plays and musical works that combined colloquial Lebanese dialogue, jazz and classical Arabic music with political and social critique. He was born in Beirut in 1956 into one of the Arab world's most prominent musical families. He began his professional career at a young age, composing Saalouni El Nass in 1973, which Fairouz performed during a period when Assi Rahbani was recovering from a stroke. In the years that followed, Rahbani established himself as an important figure in Beirut's cultural scene. His early theatre productions explored themes of civil conflict, sectarianism and everyday life in Lebanon with a satirical and often provocative tone. Rahbani was an outspoken political commentator, often expressing support for leftist movements and criticising the Lebanese political establishment. While his views were often polarising, he remained a key voice in regional cultural and political discourse. In addition to his theatre work, Rahbani continued to compose music throughout his career, including a number of collaborations with his mother Fairouz, in the 1980s. Albums such as Maarifti Feek and Wahdon introduced lyrical and musical directions for the celebrated musician, often reflecting more personal or socially conscious themes. Although he gave few interviews in his later years, Rahbani continued to perform live, frequently mixing music with political commentary during his concerts. His influence extends to multiple generations of Arab musicians, writers and performers. In recent years, the rise of the Habibi funk movement has garnered Rahbani new fans around the world, with albums including Houdou Nisbi, Amrak Seedna & Abtal Wa Harameyah and Bennesbeh Labokra... Chou? reissued internationally on vinyl to great acclaim. Arab musicians pay tribute to Ziad Rahbani Lebanese musician Tania Salah, considered one of the founding voices of the country's independent music culture, says that Rahbani is the true architect of the scene. Salah said: "Some people like to think the indie scene started with us. I don't think so. I believe it started with him, because he was already independent – from his family, from the Lebanese music scene, and even from the larger Arab world. His influences came from everywhere. He was the true first." Mayssa Kara, singer and artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi, said that Rahbani's current influence extended far beyond his artistic output. 'Ziad Rahbani was more than just a musician; he was a voice, a mirror, and a pulse for Lebanon," said Kara. "He taught generations how to speak the truth through music, no matter how uncomfortable that truth was. His art was always based on his deep love for his country and its people, and this love shaped every lyric, melody, and story he told. "People of all ages, classes, and faiths could relate to Ziad's music because it was so real. As a musician, he broke all the rules and didn't follow trends or fit into moulds, carving out a path that countless artists, including myself, have drawn inspiration from. He showed us that music could be both heartbreaking and full of humor," Kara said. "Ziad, rest in music. Your music, your words, and your spirit will always live on in the hearts of the people of Lebanon. Without you, we might not even know what Lebanon means, but maybe that's the beauty of your legacy: you've become part of the country's very definition." Emirati composer Ihab Darwish said: "For us, this is a tragedy. It feels like we've lost one of the most iconic musicians in the Arab world. "While I never met him, I consider him one of my idols. He taught me a lot about blending different genres. He also clearly has a storytelling style that is very similar to mine – ensuring that music has a narrative and theme."

Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani, son of Fairuz, dies aged 69
Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani, son of Fairuz, dies aged 69

Khaleej Times

time7 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani, son of Fairuz, dies aged 69

Lebanese famous songwriter and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of the country's diva Fairuz, has died aged 69, Lebanese News Agency (NNA) said on Saturday. Rahbai is considered one of the most influential innovators in Lebanese music and satirical political theatre. He began his artistic career in the early 1970s with his first acclaimed play 'Sahriyyeh' ("An Evening Gathering"), and later wrote and composed timeless songs for his mother Fairuz, including 'Kifak Inta' and 'Bala Wala Shi.' His works were known for their sharp social and political critique, expressed through plays such as 'Nazl Al-Sourour,' 'A Long American Film,' and 'Bema Inno.' He was also recognised for blending oriental music with jazz and classical influences.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store