American actress Milla Jovovich, Lebanese designer Elie Saab and
Tunisian actress Afef Jnifen pose as the arrive for the amfAR’s 23rd
Cinema Against AIDS Gala on May 19, 2016 at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in
Cap d’Antibes, France (Photo Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)
OK, so we all know Elie Saab
as the couturier of choice to Tinseltown’s stars ever since Halle Berry
walked the red carpet in one of his burgundy dresses at the 2002 Oscars
and won Best Actress. An overnight success after he became the first
Lebanese designer to dress an Academy Award winner, A-list celebrities,
including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emmanuelle Béart, Beyoncé, Michelle
Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Aishwarya Rai, Marillon Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker,
Diane Kruger, Dita Von Teese and Sophie Marceau, figure among his
clients clamoring to get their hands on his modern, elegant apparel
showcasing his great attention to detail, intricate finishes and
fastidiously-selected fabrics. He has today established himself as one
of the most respected names in the fashion industry globally, known for
dressing royalty like Queen Rania of Jordan and Middle Eastern
princesses, and is present regularly at large media events, displaying
his personal touch and developing close relationships over time.
However, in 2010, Saab directed his creative energies to the high
seas with the luxury yacht ES117, the first mega-yacht he designed in
collaboration with Weyves Couture (a concept aiming at producing luxury
yachts branded by internationally-acclaimed fashion designers) and yacht
builder Oceanco, which was revealed at a high-profile launch event at
the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2010. Named after Saab’s initials and the
yacht’s length of 117m, the highly exclusive mega-yacht is powered by a
hybrid quadruple engine with a maximum speed of 20 knots and is
characterized by its unusually high ceiling reaching 12m in places – a
revolutionary innovation in the world of superyachts. A symbol of power,
modernity and stylishness, the yacht is composed of a steel hull and
aluminum superstructure. Saab worked on both the interior and exterior,
heightening the sense of space and highlighting the quality of the
materials used, thus presenting the yacht owner with the last word in
comfort and luxury.
Boasting two private owners’ suites along two decks, 10 luxurious
guest suites, a swimming pool, whirlpool, theater, spa and gym, the
yacht includes a helicopter, submarine, car and water toys signed by
Elie Saab, which round off the exclusive couture lifestyle offering.
Weyves Couture had purposely sought out a designer outside of the
boating industry for a fresh take on nautical design. A designer who
displays a flair for uncompromising authenticity in expression,
producing works that are a mixture of creativity and innovation, Saab
was able to leave his imprint on the yacht while staying true to his
principles of quality and excellence.
He describes his collaboration with the two companies: “This
partnership came about as part of my company’s expansion strategy laid
out to extend the horizon and markets for the brand. When we received
the offer from Weyves and Oceanco, who are both leaders in their field,
we found that the offer came at the right time for us and that the field
is attractive to work in, especially since both companies’ work is in
accordance with the highest and most precise standards of quality and
luxury in the world.”
