Elie Saab, the celebrated Lebanese fashion designer, became interested in fashion at an early age and, unusually in the couture world, got married at 25. It was simply a desire to settle down and start a family. He found the right partner in his wife Claudine, whom he married in a small ceremony for family and a handful of friends only. “I prefer my celebrations to be private,” he told Sayidaty, a sister publication of Arab News.
Q: How significant is your wife for your work?
Elie Saab: My wife is by my side at all times and understands the nature of my life. And this understanding reflects importantly on my professional life. She doesn’t interfere in my work except in accompanying to fashion shows, but I consider her role as a mother to more important than anything else.
Most fashion designers strive to shock and live outrageous lives beyond normal expectations. How would you describe yourself?
My personality resembles my designs to a large extent. I’m in sync with myself and I’m transparent, just like my designs.
What has worldwide fame given you?
I don’t like the term “worldwide”.
But everyone uses it when they’re talking about you.
Worldwide is an overused word. But it’s true that being known has given me new ideas and a chance to get to know new people who think in different ways. I want to hear myself referred to as Elie Saab, without labels or titles.
You’re a father of three boys. What is your relationship with your sons?
I deal with my sons with simplicity so that they can adjust to any environment or circumstances that they may meet. I’m an ordinary father like other fathers and I’d love their characters to develop without being affected by me.
Do you sense that any of your sons has an inclination for fashion design? And do you encourage them?
Children’s feelings can be scary at times and as parents we don’t know what they may do or if they’re expressing a desire to do something just to please us. I have two sons who show inclinations toward art and creativity. The third seems more interested in business. I hope that one of my sons continues what I started, because my work has taken a lot of effort and time. But I won’t impose any direction on my sons. I’ll leave it to them when they grow up to choose their own path.
To what extent do you work on achieving your goals? And what are they?
If I hadn’t been a determined person I wouldn’t have succeeded in life. I traced the path I walk today and my goals are many. I think that I’m achieving my goals. I liken myself to someone who built the house he will live in one day and is preparing to furnish it.
What would you say are your basic characteristics?
Simple, sensitive and realistic.
What important friendships have you formed through your work?
There are friendships with most of the names I design for, and we vacation together taking the kids with us. I’d rather not mention any names. However most of those whom I design clothes for are close to my family.
Do you surprise your wife with your designs?
My wife wears my designs. I surprise her from time to time with a design without her asking me. There’s no effort when I design something for my wife or anyone else because I like my designs to spring from feeling first. And when I feel that I have to force myself to design and can’t see anything clear in front of me, I refuse the job.
How did you meet?
Claudine Saab: My mother was wearing an Elie Saab design. And it just happened that I accompanied her with my sister to the fashion designer. We met and married nearly three years later.
What does it mean to be the wife of an important fashion designer and form friendships with a wide circle of famous people?
Of course I enjoy it, and we do have a lot of contact with famous people. But what matters more is to have real friendships without any ulterior motives. There is no routine in my life with Elie Saab. There are always new people and constant traveling and new projects to be done.
What are the main differences between your personalities?
We have many things in common, like the love of family and home. Elie looks at all people from an absolutely positive perspective, while I’m more realistic than him in my evaluation of others. He’s very generous in life and work.
How would you sum up Elie Saab?
He’s very affectionate and loves his family — he is a great father, but not a traditional one. His sons are like his friends and he’s not hard on them. Sometimes I have to play the strict mother.
As a husband he’s understanding and rational and rarely loses his temper. But he doesn’t express his feelings and doesn’t show his emotions. He lets his actions speak for him.
