Elie Saab X H&M: A Sneak Peek into a Captivating Collection

posted on: Sep 9, 2026

By Jahnvi Chopra / Arab America Contributing Writer

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High fashion collaborations with mainstream retailers are back in a big way. This year, renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab is bringing haute couture to the masses by partnering with H&M. The collection’s global launch date is set for October 22nd and will be available online and in select stores.

The theme of the collection is “red-carpet darling goes everyday icon,” with key pieces like gowns, cocktail dresses, separates, coats, and knitwear. All pieces emphasize intricate beading and embellishments, along with sharp tailoring, reflecting the motifs of Saab’s luxury work. Similarly, the collection features occasionwear with long, sweeping statement pieces, but also blends in knitwear to align with the autumnal time of year.

The collection was proposed by H&M, and includes around fifty-five pieces in all, which allows customers to customize their wardrobes to their preferences. There are enough new items to make a presence as a luxury-inspired collection, but the chic and casual components alleviate the avant-garde essence of Saab’s pieces.

Meet the Designer

Elie Saab has become a prominent figure in the Lebanese fashion industry, but he had humble beginnings. He was born on July 4, 1964, in the coastal town of Damour, Lebanon. He was the eldest of five children in a Maronite Catholic household. By the age of nine, Saab began experimenting with fashion by using household and second-hand materials, and even involved his sisters in his trial runs.

Saab moved to Paris to study fashion at just seventeen years old in 1981, but later returned to Beirut to start his own fashion business. He primarily focused on bridal couture and specialized in detailed embroidery, lavish fabrics, and luxurious embellishments like pearls and crystals. His reputation grew from the local level as it attracted a wider clientele, marking his entrance onto the global stage.

In 1997, Saab released a collection that would later be his introduction to high fashion. He was the first non-Italian designer to become a member of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, and that same year, he showed his first collection. The designer produced his “ready-to-wear” line in Milan the following year and featured his own accessories. He continued both to host and attend fashion shows, notable for having prominent figures present, like royalty.

Saab maintained his successful streak by becoming the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner. The events he was invited to were endless, and before long, he was renowned as a haute couture designer. His legacy and work have since been featured at numerous live music events, award ceremonies, university classes on fashion, on reality TV shows, and in a global network of designer boutiques.

Customers and the Collection

This collaboration between Elie Saab and H&M is undeniably an incredible fashion statement, but it might lead to some stir in the next couple of months. This new collection is a complete turnaround compared to his traditional, high-end work. H&M emphasizes accessibility and affordability, catering to a much larger audience. Patently, that mission generally comes at the expense of garment quality. The upcoming collection might not be popular with Saab’s usual audience of high-fashion critics and uppity, high-end consumers. However, this collection is meant to unite everyday customers with exceptional high-end fashion, and Saab’s style will no doubt be a hit.