In crisis-hit Lebanon, fashion education and Elie Saab partnership fuel hope for a brighter future
Report by Petra Abou Haydar, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian
On every red carpet and at every major festival, celebrities shine in stunning gowns designed by world-renowned Lebanese designers, including Elie Saab.
This comes as no surprise—Lebanon has long been considered the second capital of fashion after France, thanks to its creative talent.
In recent years, however, that success has faded locally and now shines abroad, driven away by ongoing crises. So, what is the current state of Lebanon's fashion sector?
Universities are well-equipped and continue to graduate dozens of fashion design students each year. Among them is the Lebanese American University, which 12 years ago launched a fashion design program in partnership with Elie Saab. The program has grown rapidly.
This year, as in previous years, LAU celebrated its ninth graduating class—15 young men and women who showcased their work in a fashion show that concluded with four standout students being recognized for their exceptional designs.
The show was titled Panorama—a name that carried a message of its own.
After graduation, many of these students are offered opportunities abroad through collaborations with Elie Saab and Elie Saab Jr.
Although Lebanon's market has become saturated with designers—most of whom are now investing their talent locally—there is renewed hope that their creations will once again shine at home.
Many in the industry remain optimistic that Lebanon will reclaim its role as a hub for major events, top celebrities, and a beacon of art, fashion, and beauty.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
a day ago
- LBCI
Lebanese Energy Minister refutes predecessor's claims over Iraqi oil deal
Lebanese Energy Minister Joe Saddi issued a strongly worded statement on Friday, rejecting what he described as "a series of inaccuracies" made by former Minister Walid Fayad regarding the Iraqi oil agreement. He accused Fayad of misleading the public over financial and procedural matters. The statement, released by Saddi's media office, emphasized that successive energy ministers have been importing fuel from Iraq since 2021, with only the first contract officially ratified by Parliament. The second and third contracts, though approved by the Cabinet, remain unendorsed by lawmakers. Saddi also clarified that the fourth contract, at the center of the latest dispute, had its tendering process initiated by Fayad before the deal was signed. According to the statement, Fayad awarded the initial bid to a company he referenced in recent remarks. While Saddi confirmed that he had finalized the contract, he stated that this was done strictly in accordance with the principle of maintaining continuity of public services without launching a new tender or incurring further obligations outside of the existing framework. He insisted that no new financial burden was imposed on Lebanese taxpayers before receiving parliamentary approval, countering Fayad's assertions. The statement added that both Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and Minister Saddi informed Parliament about the status of the contract during the latest joint committee session. On the financial front, Saddi challenged Fayad's claim that the agreement amounted to just $600 million, stating the actual value was approximately $1.28 billion, with $753 million already due and the remaining balance to mature through the next year. "In the end, every official owes it to the Lebanese people to speak with honesty and transparency," the statement concluded.
LBCI
2 days ago
- LBCI
New scanners, tougher controls: Lebanon fights smuggling to win IMF backing
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Because global companies avoid ports with high risks, tightening control over smuggling at Lebanon's official border crossings has become essential. In this context, the Beirut Port Authority, under the direct guidance of the Lebanese government, is moving forward with a previously signed contract with CMA CGM to operate the container terminal at the Port of Beirut. The company will also be responsible for installing and maintaining scanners, training staff, and upgrading the system. The scanners to be installed are modern and advanced, with the capacity to inspect 100 containers per minute. However, the inspection process and data entry will remain under the sole authority of Lebanese Customs, as it is a security responsibility. Oversight of the inspection process will also be implemented through an integrated and transparent system. The scanners are expected to be operational within four to six weeks, and the same model will be deployed at the Port of Tripoli, as well as at the Masnaa and Aboudieh crossings. This comes alongside continued security tightening at illegal border points. Curbing customs evasion is one of the key reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which emphasized in its closing meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam the need to combat money laundering and reform the banking system. These efforts aim to reduce reliance on a cash-based economy and encourage deposits to return to the banking sector. Salam outlined the challenges posed by public debt, the banking crisis, the refugee situation, and the need for reconstruction, all of which are exacerbated by limited international support. Regarding Lebanon's commitment to reforming its laws—particularly the bank restructuring law—the IMF emphasized the importance of aligning with global standards during the law's approval process. However, the IMF would have preferred a faster pace, especially to determine the fate of depositors' funds. The IMF delegation will leave Beirut with plans to return in early September. The Lebanese delegation, meanwhile, is preparing for the IMF's annual meetings in October with senior officials to review the steps Lebanon has taken. As part of continued cooperation with the IMF, a Lebanese ministerial delegation will travel to Cairo to sign memorandums of understanding with Egypt to benefit from its expertise in technology and development.
LBCI
2 days ago
- LBCI
In crisis-hit Lebanon, fashion education and Elie Saab partnership fuel hope for a brighter future
Report by Petra Abou Haydar, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian On every red carpet and at every major festival, celebrities shine in stunning gowns designed by world-renowned Lebanese designers, including Elie Saab. This comes as no surprise—Lebanon has long been considered the second capital of fashion after France, thanks to its creative talent. In recent years, however, that success has faded locally and now shines abroad, driven away by ongoing crises. So, what is the current state of Lebanon's fashion sector? Universities are well-equipped and continue to graduate dozens of fashion design students each year. Among them is the Lebanese American University, which 12 years ago launched a fashion design program in partnership with Elie Saab. The program has grown rapidly. This year, as in previous years, LAU celebrated its ninth graduating class—15 young men and women who showcased their work in a fashion show that concluded with four standout students being recognized for their exceptional designs. The show was titled Panorama—a name that carried a message of its own. After graduation, many of these students are offered opportunities abroad through collaborations with Elie Saab and Elie Saab Jr. Although Lebanon's market has become saturated with designers—most of whom are now investing their talent locally—there is renewed hope that their creations will once again shine at home. Many in the industry remain optimistic that Lebanon will reclaim its role as a hub for major events, top celebrities, and a beacon of art, fashion, and beauty.
