Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez at The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab “A Night of Dreams, Legends, and Couture Reverie in Riyadh”. Story by RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Elie Saab / GettyImages / Rani Fawaz.

In an age where moments rarely leave a lasting impression, Elie Saab gifted the world an evening to remember—a night where fashion, music, and art converged under the glittering skies of Riyadh. The Lebanese couturier, celebrated worldwide, marked 45 years of his legacy with The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab, a show that transcended traditional runways to become a veritable tapestry of dreams.

Held at Riyadh’s exclusive venue, a setting that itself seemed woven from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, Saab’s show was a tribute not only to the Middle Eastern heritage that defines his designs but also to the contemporary spirit that his brand has carried to the world’s most prestigious red carpets and closets. The evening’s ambiance shimmered with luxury and history, transforming a fashion show into a pilgrimage for Saab’s followers, friends, and admirers who have watched him rise from a young designer in Beirut to a beacon of haute couture.

Jennifer Lopez: The Queen Descends

When Jennifer Lopez took the stage, the night turned electric. Draped in a shimmering, tassel-laden bodysuit designed by Saab, Lopez descended like a celestial queen returning to her throne. Each move she made pulsed with the rhythm of her global hits, and the audience was mesmerized, drawn into her orbit. Here was a moment where fashion and music didn’t just coexist—they harmonized, amplifying one another. As Lopez performed, models in Saab’s Art Deco-inspired gowns walked beside her, their feathered details evoking a Gatsby-esque allure that paid homage to the past while celebrating the future.

The Lebanese designer’s magic lies in how he makes women feel, and on this night, Lopez embodied the essence of Saab’s aesthetic: powerful, feminine, and utterly unforgettable. She captivated everyone with a performance that blended effortlessly into the world Saab had created—an homage to the iconic female figure, adorned, celebrated, and adored. With each beat, each sway, Lopez wasn’t just performing; she was embodying the spirit of Elie Saab, an artist whose career has been built on making dreams wearable.

Celine Dion: An Emotional Crescendo

As if Lopez’s electric performance hadn’t already stirred the audience to its core, the night reached a poignant crescendo with the appearance of Celine Dion. Making her third public appearance since her much-anticipated comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dion embodied resilience, grace, and a profound depth of artistry. Draped in a gown that glittered like stardust, every sequin reflecting the lifetime of friendship and mutual admiration she shares with Saab, Dion took the stage with a presence that felt almost ethereal.

For those in attendance, this was more than a performance; it was an experience, a journey through emotions carried on the wings of Dion’s voice as she sang The Power of Love and I’m Alive. Many eyes welled with tears, moved by Dion’s voice and the raw beauty of Saab’s creation that clothed her—a gown fit for royalty, yet as delicate and personal as a whispered secret. Saab himself watched from the sidelines, his own journey from Beirut to the world’s stages mirrored in Dion’s resilience and grace. Together, designer and muse created a moment that transcended the runway, leaving an indelible memory for all who witnessed it.

A Tapestry of Performances and Timeless Beauty

The musical performances of the night were not limited to Lopez and Dion. The stage also saw vibrant acts by Camila Cabello, Nancy Ajram, and Amr Diab, who brought their own magic to the evening. Cabello, wrapped in a radiant pink creation by Saab, filled the space with her effervescent energy. Her dress—a pink gown adorned with floral motifs—matched her vivacious Latin rhythms, each beat and sway connecting with the audience, pulling them further into the dream that was 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab.

Ajram and Diab, beloved icons in the Arab world, brought a wave of nostalgia to the event with their classic hits. Their presence was a testament to Saab’s pride in his roots—a celebration of the region that has inspired his designs for over four decades. As the last notes of Ajram’s beloved Hassa Beek faded, it was clear: this night was more than a tribute to fashion; it was a tribute to Arab artistry, culture, and creativity, reimagined for a global audience.

A Front Row of Stars and Admirers

In the front row, icons like Monica Bellucci, Halle Berry, Isabeli Fontana, and Nadine Nassib Njeim watched with admiration. Berry, who famously wore Saab’s gown at the 2002 Academy Awards, had an emotional reunion with the designer—twenty-two years after that pivotal moment that marked Saab’s entry into Hollywood glamour. The stars in attendance were a reflection of Saab’s far-reaching influence and the loyalty he inspires; each of them, at some point, had been touched by his creations, his vision, and his unparalleled talent.

As they watched the models glide down the runway, clad in gowns that sparkled like the Arabian night sky, one could feel the collective awe of witnessing a milestone in fashion history. These were not merely dresses but pieces of art, moments captured in fabric, and memories woven into seams.

A Legacy Beyond the Runway

Elie Saab’s journey is nothing short of legendary. Beginning in war-torn Beirut, he built his atelier and grew his brand through passion, vision, and unrelenting dedication. His name became synonymous with glamour, elegance, and Middle Eastern beauty, carrying Arab fashion onto a global stage with unwavering grace and pride. Tonight’s show, “The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab,” was not merely a celebration of his career—it was a testament to the countless dreams he has made a reality, a legacy built stitch by stitch, gown by gown.

Saab’s 45 years in fashion have redefined what it means to create. He is not merely a designer but a storyteller, a dream-maker who has made women around the world feel like royalty. From the red carpet to everyday moments, Saab’s creations have adorned the women who inspire us, each piece imbued with the beauty and spirit of the designer himself. Tonight, under the Saudi stars, he showed the world not only his designs but his soul—a soul that is inseparable from the fabric of Arab fashion history.

When Dreams Take Flight

As the night drew to a close, the audience was left in a state of reverie. Elie Saab’s vision for The 1001 Seasons had been fulfilled, taking everyone on a journey through dreams, beauty, and artistry. In a world that often rushes past, he created a moment that called for pause, reflection, and celebration—a moment that will forever be remembered by all in attendance and echoed in the annals of fashion history.

The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab was not just a fashion show; it was a love letter to the art of couture, a tribute to a career that has inspired millions, and a bold, beautiful statement that in Saab’s hands, dreams really do come true.