#ABtalks with Elie Saab | Chapter 238

Your story, Bou Elie. is a strange story. An Arab guy, at a time when. people didn’t understand. what “fashion” meant. Anyone who works. in art. has to go through these things. How, when the parents. are not understanding. but you keep going? I wanted. to open an atelier. and people started laughing at me. When you first saw Claudine, You said, “She’ll be my wife”? When she arrived, and came in from the door. I said, “That’s the girl. I want to spend my life with.”. What is the story.

of the Oscars dress. with Halle Berry? She told her, ''Please, I want the dress''. She said, ''No, no, I will not give you. the dress at all. ''I feel that something. is going to happen to me, and I will wear it.''. What does Lebanon mean to you? If you let me live my whole life. and tell me: ''Don’t travel, just stay in Beirut.''. I’d accept. What’s your relationship. with loss, Bou Elie? I felt as if. there was a wall. I used to lean on. and it wasn't there anymore. That stays with me. through the night. and some nights it torments me. Hello everyone. Finally, I’m sitting with Mr. Elie Saab.

Who we now call ''Bou Elie'' (Sr. Elie). I’ve wanted to sit with him for so long, Grace be to God, I saw him for the first time. at the Zegna event. I met his son. and I met him. then I attended the wedding. and now here in Paris, I attended his fashion show for the first time. and I was so proud. I finally sat down with him. because I tried to summarize for you a life story. in two hours. and that’s impossible. It might be only 5% of it. but thank you for your time.

My dear. I hope you enjoyed it. I really did. truly. You made me talk about things. maybe I've never spoken about before. Thank you so much. My pleasure. It was truly enjoyable. I really enjoyed. my conversation with you. Me too. And you’re extremely talented as well. Honestly, you have. a way that makes a person.. This is a true gift. not something everyone has. - Thank you - Truly. Bravo to you. and hopefully. we’ll see you at your very best.

All of us. - Me and you - My dear. God willing. so those who. follow and admire the work. of Mr. Elie Saab. I hope we managed to show you a new side of him. and for those who didn’t know him. now you do. So support. the geniuses we have in the Arab world. and the talented ones. and hopefully, the people. who are like Elie Saab. and others, since we have so many talents. in the Arab world. So your support for them.

and encouragement helps. these talents. reach international levels, just like. Bou Elie reached global success. There are many young men and women. honestly, to say something. which is that. the Arab person. is supportive and loving. they love young people who strive. because they have a. a place in their hearts. and they express it.

The beautiful thing. about our people. is that. they express themselves. and speak. and they give you the feeling. - you truly deserve - Right. It’s true when they say that. we are a great nation. and we deserve it. God willing. the best of everything. Enjoy watching. Enjoy.

Hello, Mr. Elie. Hello hello. Finally. Look, we agreed that I’m going to call you. ''Bou Elie''. in the Emirati way. Abou Elie, absolutely. We say Bou Elie. It’s the best. It used to be “Monsieur Elie,”. - “Mr. Elie,” - No. This one is very nice. but “Bou Elie” is nice. It feels like it has. a blessing in it. Okay, first question. It’s a simple question. but important. Maybe not simple. How are you really doing? Thank God, I'm doing very well.

What makes it “well”? What is it that makes it “well”? This collection. Thank God, I came out of it. at ease. The overall vibe left me relaxed. Like. - Thank God - Good. Usually, I don’t fully relax unless. until I get to Beirut. When I land in Beirut, all the exhaustion just goes away. You really love Beirut, right? Yes. I’m addicted. Like, if you let me live my whole life. and told me: Don’t travel, just stay in Beirut.

I’d accept. I told you. The first time I visited was when I attended your (son's) wedding. It was the first time I ever visited. When I attended the wedding. It has been three months now? The wedding, yes. It was in July? July. It was my first time seeing Beirut. I really loved it. I went to Sporting, and I went to. Batroun, and I went. No, no, but. when you stay longer. I'll get more addicted. Its beauty is in its people.

True. It’s the people who make the difference. Let me ask you something. With your creativity, your artistry.. If I give you a blank canvas. Yea. I tell you, Bou Elie, paint for me. your mental state in this period. What would you paint? I want to tell you something. I actually have a problem. with that subject. with the “mental state”. because I think so much. during the day I go through. so many phases.

Like. I’m a bit up. then I go down a bit. You know what I mean? Like, my day. It’s not, like. it’s not the same from morning till night. because I think about so many things that. some make me happy, some make me upset. So my. mental state. I think that anyone who works. in art. and in these things.

and is always trying to. what do you call it. outdo himself. has to go through these things. Because there’s always a conflict between you. between you and yourself. That’s the strongest conflict. more than when you’re. fighting with. some outsider. Okay, paint for me. Paint me a picture. A picture you’d draw. that reflects. this thing you just told me. the up and down.

left and right. an electrocardiogram. Maybe. Maybe. There’s nothing else. Or you know what I imagined? Waves. The sea. The waves of the sea, also. Sometimes you see it calm. then it rises, then. I feel maybe. I could say: the sea’s waves. Because some days. an hour passes and you feel. the sea settles, then it boils. then it calms down, then…. Okay, take me back with you. Let’s go to the m4ost beautiful moment. Before I go back to your childhood.

I wanted to ask you. Bou Elie. Who is Elie Saab. when there’s no one around him? No people around you, No work, no family. Just you by yourself. Who is that person? A very simple person. Like…. humane. a very humane person.

I want to tell you something. since my childhood…. Let me tell you. imagine that I remember the first day. I ever went to school. I remember things. maybe from when I was two years old. Like, there’s something in me. kind of strange. Which is. the level of awareness. that.

I had since. since when I was a child, when I was little. I understood how the world works. Like…. I mean. Sometimes they say. He's a kid, what could he possibly understand? You know what I mean? But I understood life. very early. maybe when. when I was maybe. seven, eight years old. I was ready to do anything on my own. I had that awareness.

Do you remember your first day of school? How do you remember your first day of school? I’m telling you. I’m telling you, I have. I have something. I have something strange, for sure. You know, sometimes. I don’t like viewing the word “strange”. in a negative way. On the contrary, Sometimes I say, we’re a strange family. and they tell me, no. and I tell them, no. I don’t mean it in a bad way. I mean we truly. are maybe a strange family.

- I mean - Not typical. Not the typical, yeah. But it’s. On the contrary, I’m not. saying something bad. I’m saying. I’m saying something. that maybe helped me mature very early. And that’s why my life. started very early. What’s the best memory. from your childhood? With the awareness I had, my childhood wasn’t. the sweetest childhood. I mean. I was aware to an extent. that these beautiful childhood moments. I skipped them.

Skip. Yeah, like I was…. I used to think a lot as a kid. about what’s happening around me and so on. I didn’t play with kids. the way I should have. I didn’t spend. that carefree time. that every kid. gets to spend. No, I would sit. and look, observe the things people do. I’d look out the window, You know? I had. I had.

a whole world of questions. That wasn’t normal. Like, I was. a little introverted. So is there something. If I ask you, like, one. beautiful memory. that’s stuck in your head? maybe one of the best. A lot. For sure, there are a lot of beautiful things that happened. But they were. not things that were. special, like any other kid. It’s not like. things that. blew my mind.

On the contrary, it was. for me. the best thing was. when someone. one of the adults around me. felt like. they understood me. and understood how I think. That feeling was. for me. was maybe. the secret of happiness. Like I’d feel. that this person will get me with a single look of an eye. because there were so many people around me.

who didn’t understand me. So I’d wait for that person. the one who would give me. give me attention, when. he’d think about what I’m thinking about. That used to make me so happy. as I told you, I didn’t experience that a lot. That wasn't. something I had a lot of. And who was that person, the one you felt understood you first? I had.

a teacher at school who understood me a lot. She would tell me things before I even asked. and things that. things that. would please. my way of thinking. and also I had an uncle. He was. He was. very similar to my way of thinking. Is he the same uncle who used to draw? Yes.

He used to draw. only as a hobby. I was very close to him. Like really close, that. He’d give me so much confidence. in every way. He treated me as if. I were a man, since I was seven years old. I needed that. That was the thing that. made me really happy. For example, if you tell me.

for example. You need to guard this object. It’s your responsibility. That. made me feel like I was testing myself. as if I were examining myself. and what’s the hardest. memory from your childhood? We lived. in a place like an open plain. Wintertime. used to be very hard. There was a river next to us, and.

you know, things would happen. Like you’d hear that some kid drowned. in the river. Or that someone got into an accident somewhere. So all these things, for me as a kid. made me start thinking about them. in a way that, like. they bothered me. They bothered me a lot. Especially all those things that really bothered me. they would always happen in winter.

Like you’d feel, for example, the sound. The sound of the jackals outside. their sound on the open plain. There were things that. made me think a lot about them. And what did you learn from your father. and your mother? From my father, a lot. Tell me, give me. one thing from each.

From my father. I learned patience. I learned. the value of things. Especially. the value of people, My dad was very. He was a fair person. Like, very principled. He was. He was. He was very kind. And he understood what life is.

And also, he had this mix. a kind of special mix. Like. Conscience-wise. How he used to appreciate people. How he used to work. He even had. that same sense of responsibility. that I took on early. Because he took on. his sister and his family since he. was young as well.

Then I came.. I was like him. It was a different time, but I was like him, early on. I feel that my father. is really a part of me. Like really, it’s as if we’re one person. What about your mother? My mom, I learned so many things from her too. She loved nice things, my mom loved nice things,

My mom is still alive, my father passed away. May God have mercy on him. She loves beautiful things. She loved to.. She was overprotective of us. I mean, to the point where it could be annoying, because she was overly meticulous. but we learned so much from her. Maybe. she’s the one who made me think.

the way I do now. I mean, she’s the one, who made me see life. as if the world had no limits. I mean, this openness. in thinking, I definitely took it from my mom. You know, Bou Elie. I always think. about how. important it is. I mean, I can’t even. measure how important it is,

but how important it is. for a father or a mother. to instill. in their child. self-confidence, whose impact lasts for sixty years. Like if you’re a child, and your mom says, “Mashallah, you’re dressed so nicely,”. “Your outfit looks great,”. “Ah, your hair looks nice,”. that’s self-esteem. and that confidence you build in the child. that helps him express his look, his clothes, and his hair. I feel it has. a huge impact in the future. But if the mother says,

“You look stupid,”. “That’s ugly, shame on you,” and so on. then the child. has no personality, no identity. You know.. Let me tell you, I think, according to how I see it, that mothers and fathers. sometimes treat their four children the same exact way. and only one of them succeeds. Or all four don’t succeed. I mean, I’m telling you that. with the parents’ efforts,

there’s still something in the child. something he has. has a certain energy. has deep thinking. I don’t imagine there are parents who. intend to abuse their kids. Like telling them “you’re worthless and you…”. and sometimes they keep telling him that. and they turn out to be the smartest, What I want to. explain to you, Is that I think. the child. plays a huge role as well.

I mean whether they treat him well or. don’t treat him well, He. by himself, there’s something inside him. that makes him turn out well or not. You know. Many people around us. there were people who were treated better than we were. and lived better than us in some way, and nothing happened. True. While people who were much simpler turned out. remarkable, I mean. So it goes back to. the human being. that’s in the child.

also has its importance, just as importantly as the parents. That's true. and you know, you said the same thing. that. the psychologist I talk to said…. I was talking. with him about success. and about determination, why is there a child who. has this hunger, I call it, the hunger to try to prove himself, and his brother in the same house, same upbringing, but he doesn’t have it. So he would say to me, he told me, Anas, because I was telling him, thank God.

my relationship with my mother was. instilling self confidence in me and so on, he told me, Anas, that’s nice, what you're saying about your mother is nice. but don’t forget. what you did. You, for example, went to the same school that your brothers had. but you took opportunities in life differently, for example, so don’t forget that. It’s the same thing you’re saying, because I’m telling you, for example, our generation, what we as a generation went through.

I mean, back then, when I was less than nine years old, we were still in school, the teacher would hit us with a ruler. I mean, look now. where kids are, where they’ve reached, how far they’ve gone beyond us. Right. Parents used to, they also thought. that if they were tough on the child, that would turn him into a true man. and turn out better. Which is not true.

I mean, I say that every era. has its own way, and its people who live in it. at the present time. Correct. So, Bou Elie, is it true. that you started. design and sewing, designing dresses when you were nine years old? When I was little I didn’t like. to play with toys. I would.

for example, like to make. for example I liked. to make a guitar, I made it myself. I liked to make. a car, you know, I like to do handcrafts. and among the things that. I know how to do, Like I used to make those things, I knew how to tailor. I mean, I. knew the body, how fabric should be cut for a body.

Instinctively, not based on anything. Sometimes I would make things, cars, and things like that. sometimes I’d make. dresses, sometimes, like, I feel that I had energies, in my head, like I could do whatever you want. I mean, I mean, even now.

we go through a bet I switch things a minute. I mean, I have. I have a mindset. anything assembled. anything that’s handmade, I have a huge addiction towards these things. And I was born that way. I read that. I read that you even liked to. work in. sewing, or in making things, that even during days of war. you did it to keep yourself busy from. the sounds of explosions.

Is that correct? No, not to. escape that issue, I mean. I can say that. ever since I was a kid, I’ve liked working with my hands. But not like that, this was a phase, after nine years old. It was a very ugly phase. Which was? I mean, the time you’re talking about, I used to. I used to.

run away from. the situation, the war, and so on. I was. more that nine years old, because when we were displaced from our area. and came to Beirut, I was nine years old. That arrival to Beirut. was when the very ugly phase of my life. started. Starting that age.

we left our homes, left our area, left our schools, we came, some days we’d go to school, many other days we wouldn’t. The situation. wasn’t good at all. My dad. was exhausted, at that time, it really affected him. The displacement, You know we were a family, basically a family, like. typical Lebanese families,

middle class, we were living very well, but, like, all the money. our parents had, they used to. invest into lands, into trade, so when we fled, we were displaced, we were displaced, we’d be sitting here today, two days later we’d. have left everything and gone. Anyway, when we got to Beirut and my dad was worn out,

and he had a little money that barely let us live, then. I started, reading between the lines. looking at my siblings, my mom, and my dad and feel that. maybe soon. a lot would change for us, in the lifestyle. that we had. And I didn’t want. my dad to feel that. he had to work at something. that didn't suit him.

I mean, not. after having had everything, I felt that. times had changed for my dad, and he’d work at things that. maybe, I don’t know if I should say, professions that didn’t suit him, or that were. way little for him. compared to. how he used to live. and what he used to have. From that day on, I. somewhat. started thinking. of any possible way.

to find the fastest way. to make money. like, anything that could be fast. so that I could. make up for things. before. my family’s situation would change, even though my dad. was one of the few men who were willing. to do anything, to work at anything, just so nothing would change for us.

He was always willing. I mean, he had qualities. that aren’t found in many people. He didn’t care about himself, as long as his kids would. not have anything change for them. Seeing how my dad felt, and being the eldest at home, and seeing that my father wasn't okay. I had to do something. So I thought, “Alright, you have nothing but this job.”. I started working in this field.

and kept growing with time. What you're saying... For example, when I was around twelve years old, I used to have dresses hung up. and all girls would come to choose among them. like people would come knocking on our door, I mean, I did everything so that. even the woman who would come over.

she’d probably hesitate to trust a kid. a twelve-year-old boy, I’d tell her, “Pick what you want among these”. You know what I mean? Like I calculated, I calculated all. the factors, all factors that would make. the buyer feel comfortable, and be at ease. Glory be to God, I'll tell you something. I got that business sense from my father. I mean,

I mean, I know how. to do marketing for the items, I know how. to display and present them, and how to deal with people. Let me tell you, this is. more than. more than half of success, because this is. the real art is, how you deal with people, and how you keep a good reputation, and how. you don’t let anyone speak ill of you,

You might be less. skilled at what you do, but your manners. make the person. in front of you. want to come back to you, because they trust you. And thank God, I definitely got that from my family. You know, when you. tell me about your father, May God have mercy on him, especially a man. of the old school, a stand-up guy, as the Egyptians say, who has values, he keeps building. his life around his family,

a certain standard of living, and a quality of life, then the slap. that suddenly comes from outside, forcing you. to change all of that, hits a man’s identity very hard. That's what I meant. His ego breaks, they suffer, they fall ill. That’s what happened to my father, that’s because. you know, when a person is sitting. right where he had planned his life, feeling everything around him is secure, living in a certain way,

Let me tell you something, the Lebanese lifestyle. isn’t like anywhere else. I mean how. people set up their lives, how they live day to day. You look at a Lebanese people. you see them. from the outside, and you’d say, “They must have millions,”. but they might only have what you actually see. Believe me, because the Lebanese way of living, in itself, is a way that truly.

needs to be taught everywhere. I’ve never seen anyone. think the way Lebanese men do. but the problem is, when something happens. that was not foreseen. then it becomes hard for him. but because as much. as he loves nice things, and everything has been running on that basis, it becomes very hard for him. That’s what it was like for my father, as I told you. I also read that….

I'm going through your life, through the stages of your life I have in mind. When you were 11 years old, once, you tried to design or sew, a dress for your sister out of bed sheets. No, that was earlier. That was 11. No, no, no. That was before, when I was a kid. That was before we were displaced. I wanted to just do anything. You took the sheets. Yes, because, ever since I was young. I loved making,

wedding dresses, big dresses, I never liked, making small, little dresses, No, I always loved making. big things, Glory be to God, just like what I do now, you know, something with a train, something big, something with sleeves, so I had to, borrow from my mom’s closet. Your parents were... Weren’t your parents surprised? My parents were.

when they saw me doing that, especially my mom, how do I tell you this, it was like she saw. a devil in me. For her, it was like. I was causing her, a disturbing nightmare. “You want to become a tailor?”. Or “You want to become...''. you’re, the eldest son. you have younger siblings,”. you should be a role model for them.

for them to study, and you know, everyone. wanted their kids to become either doctors, engineers, or lawyers. True. Like everyone. But when, Honestly, before we fled. becoming a designer was the least I cared about. Even when I decided, I decided to become a designer because, I wanted to make money. But otherwise, I could’ve been anything else,

that I might’ve succeeded in more. depending on the idea I had back then. But the more the name grew. Like between. 11 and 18. I became. like I couldn’t. think of doing anything else. because, it already existed. and all it needed was to be built properly.

to be established correctly. Right. But how... You know, I'm thinking. I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of. an eleven, twelve, thirteen-year-old kid, How, when the parents are not understanding. and don’t believe in what you’re doing. but you keep going. Where does that confidence come from. that keeps you going at that age? Because I knew what I wanted. I wanted income. What they didn’t know was that I,

could right now, stand up and do another job. Because I was at school, I used to study. I was doing well at school. I mean, I never once. did I. I stood up to them. Like, I mean, I was sure of what I was doing. Not as a professional, like I told you. but as if,

it was real work. And you used to take that money and help at home. and quality of life? Yes, everything. So you started becoming responsible. Maybe I became. really responsible, maybe when I was fourteen years old. I mean responsible. What do they say.. responsible for everything. From a young age. Yes, a young age. But I was happy. Was your father happy,

or was he upset that his son was working? No, they were still not happy about it. Despite everything I did, despite everything. I mean, they preferred, they used to say, they preferred that, even if they struggled a bit, as long as I focused on my future, in a different way. When did that change? That changed,

when I decided to. open an atelier. of course they were also. against that too. but when I opened. my first atelier. and I made my first collection. and how people took it, and how. it turned out, it was a huge success. I had achievements when I was a kid, up to eighteen years old. But when I held my first runway show.

you can feel that the name. really grew. And it was in the middle of the war. and our neighborhood. was among the areas most. affected by the Lebanese war. Little by little, when they started to see. how big the demand was, and the way people. were taking the pieces I was making. how much they valued those pieces. they started to, maybe.

accept the situation. “Okay, what’s done is done, and let’s see what he will achieve. but it doesn’t mean they were overjoyed. Imagine, the amount of dresses I sewed for people. my mother wouldn’t accept wearing a dress that I made. because she rejected the whole thing. Even at the age of eighteen when I opened the atelier. till then. she still wouldn’t accept to wear. the dresses I was making. For her it was as if. I was ruining my life.

I was doing something wrong. That’s how she took it. It’s hard, right? As a son. I'd say, It was hard at that time, The way the world was and the war, and she’d say, “Now my son wants to become a tailor?”. Like, what’s he going to do. When we’ve lost everything?

The general situation was. maybe I, maybe if I had been in their place. I would’ve been like them. because. days aren’t all the same. I mean, there are. there are days. that pass under black clouds, as I remember. And the cloud at that time, that period of fifteen years of war. was very hard on the Lebanese people. I read,

Bou Elie that. when you were. fifteen years old, there was a friend. of your mother. who asked you. to design a dress for her daughter. in Paris. Yes. I feel like this is also, a very important point. Definitely. What’s the story? I’ll tell you something, with everything I did. all of the ready-made dresses. I used to, really love, making wedding dresses. Because since I was a kid, like I said.

I never liked the typical style. but once I started making wedding gowns. their success, was, I think if you calculate it, you’d find the success was huge, especially for this kid, who didn’t even have his own atelier yet. It became like, anyone who wanted a wedding dress. would immediately, especially girls,

girls of my generation. you know, it’s like, we understood each other, we were the same generation. And it was, it was a stage, that was both difficult, and beautiful at the same time. The story. of my mother’s friend in Paris, and the dress. was that. the dress was absolutely admired,

and surely, the dress. as if. for example, the Lebanese. who were living in Paris during the war, they were like one, a community. very close-knit. So it was natural that. almost everyone who was similar, knew each other. That was maybe, the first small, milestone in my success. like she wore the dress,

and it was a huge success, wow. They couldn’t believe this dress had come from Lebanon. made by this young man, who was fifteen years old. Yes. So the story... It amazed people. It maybe surprised... maybe back then, I don’t know if they. used to forget about the product. I couldn't know if it was about the product. or it was about the story. Or both. The story itself, it used to make.

to make a story out of the product itself. You know, speaking of that. Once, I was. listening to a podcast, and he was saying, this chair, this apartment, this mosque, this church, this city, none of it means anything except. with the stories. People, are built on stories. I can tell you, this is a pillow.

just a pillow. you’d say, okay fine. But let me tell you, Do you know this pillow’s story? My grandfather. went to India once. It's a kind of marketing, that's it. that story gives this a far greater meaning. Of course. So humans are built on stories. I told you. I told you that now, when I think about it now. was the story stronger, or what was coming out from my hands stronger? You know, there was. something like, Magic.

There was something about it. And you know, I'm thinking. Glory be to God, a fifteen-year-old. goes to Paris. designs a dress. I, for example, in the year 1982. when I decided, The fashion show year, right? No, when I really decided to. open an atelier, I was here in Paris. Okay. and I was heading down to Beirut.

Bachir Gemayel died, in the explosion. So, things became. even darker. I arrived wanting to open an atelier. and people started laughing at me. Like, Let me tell you something, a person has to write. their success story themselves. whatever it was. you know, they should pay attention to this.

And in ’82, You made the first fashion show in Beirut? Yes, the first atelier, and the first exhibition. And is it true the audience had to. go to the show in what you call a basement, or a place between, but I did the runway. at the Lebanese Casino. and the next day. The Israeli invasion happened. the big, infamous invasion. The dresses and the invasion.

were in the same newspaper. I mean, you see how it was, like someone walking against the current. Thank God, there is beauty and ugliness. you know, and at the same time. And maybe that detail. accelerated the atelier’s success even more. and the collection. Maybe out of. the ugliness. and the destruction, beauty prevails. a rose emerges. that single rose, you know. A person at that point. is hungry, looking.

for something beautiful. in bad, negative circumstances. So when you see something lovely, a nice wedding, a beautiful dress. You say, Thank God, ''The world is still okay.''. - Of course - You know? it’s amazing. This was at eighteen. And why, until today, Bou Elie, Why do you keep going? You have the money, You have success, You have projects. Why keep going? To preserve the success, Should I throw away the success I’ve built my whole life?

What do I do? I stop? I don't know. No. I go with the logic that. I’m talking to you. as a man, not as a designer. That, I did all this, so. Naturally, I should preserve it. And besides, I’m the type. who might die while working. Like, me, on Saturdays and Sundays.

If I’m home, or I take a break. Like, My life consists of work. I mean, I'm a workaholic. Like, I don’t, I mean, This is how I have fun, this is how I enjoy myself. Honestly, I get you. I was talking to Claudine, I told her. I’m against resigning, or retiring altogether. I feel that’s a decline in health. and a rush toward death.

When someone stops. I’m amazed at how people are happy. that they’ve stopped. It means work was boring. or disgusting. Exactly. Honestly. This means they were working like machines. for the sole sake of working. Right. I feel it’s very important I always say. the same thing. I say my last day of work. will be the day I die. I like to be productive. and feel that I have worth. What does success mean to you? Bou Elie?

Success is beautiful. What does it mean to you? Is it family, work, business, or money? Look, success is many things together. Sometimes there’s success. without money. But you get used to that. It becomes something like, You know, like. your adrenaline, you know? Like for me, for example,

How.. How do I plan for tomorrow. Like, like when. they deliver something, and people go crazy and feel happy about it, for me, that is. that’s happiness and motivation. Do you get me? No, I mean, when you see. the things you’re doing. people are so happy with them, to the extent that.

they’re thanking you, they’re showing appreciation for what you do. This is satisfaction for me. that’s success for me. That I’m pleasing. all the people who love me, everyone appreciates what I’m doing, and I feel that this makes me want to build for tomorrow. If you imagine losing that, it could be a tragic situation. You know, you brought me back.

to your childhood, when you told me, you told me, Anas, I was always. looking for someone who understands me. Exactly. and they were few. So today, when you. work so hard on one piece. or on one event, and then. when people love it, it means they understood you and your work, they understood your designs. So it’s the same thing. How do you expect me to give up on such a valuable thing? Leave it for what? True. What’s your relationship with loss, Bou Elie?

Losing people, death? Death is a certainty, for sure. But, it’s hard. I mean, sometimes it’s harder. for those left behind, than for the one who passed. Because. there are people who.

leave behind a void, a very big void in your life, when they’re gone. There are aspects about death. that can be very harsh. Whose death left. a big void for you? In my life, I’ve lost many people around me, many friends, many people I love, and I also lost my sister.

But in the end, one must have faith, this is how life is. But still, those who stay. cannot keep themselves from thinking and missing them. or stop... I mean, especially when so many things. remind you of the people you love. You keep saying, “Where are they?”. but you can’t find them. Your sister passed away? Your sister Mona? Mona, yes. She passed away young, Yes, at thirty.

And how did you deal with a loss. such as losing Mona? She was... she was suffering for seven, eight years. She’d get better, then she wouldn’t. Better, then not better. I mean... you know, maybe. what comforted us. was that we had lived. through that stage with her. And... I mean... the whole family. was deeply affected by the tragedy we faced.

But, at the same time, we were... slowly, each time, getting used to the idea a little more. - It prepares you - Yes. But, I’d tell you. for us siblings, it was maybe. much easier for us. than for our parents. I find it one of the hardest things. in life for parents to bury their children. True. The parents stay home, while we work, go out, and get distracted.

But there’s no doubt. it was. a huge damage. to our family. What happened... When did your father pass away? He passed away. at the beginning of COVID. Suddenly, or after some health problems? No, suddenly. Sudden loss is hard. Yes, but let me tell you something, my father's death was very hard for me. I mean...

not just our relationship, or everything between us, but I felt as if. as if there was a wall I used to lean on. You know? And it wasn’t there anymore. I mean, a father's loss. is very hard. For me, it was hard. It took me a year to overcome it. Of course, it was something. I lived internally. but. it was hard.

And how did you get past it, is there a way. you were able to cope with such a huge loss? With prayer, meditation and so on. What else can you do? But you feel he’s still there. That’s what you should do. Right. You have to feel he’s still here. And you have to feel that. we’re going to join him. I mean that. on the contrary, after these two incidents, I feel that I... I've grown tougher.

Sometimes I like. to talk about the dead, because I feel it’s a way. to keep them alive. Of course. - Today we talked - To make them happy too. We talked about Mona. May God have mercy on her, we talked about your dad. For anyone who sees the story, you’ve brought them to life. For sure, I believe in that. I feel it’s important. That we don’t forget them. Sometimes, when we’re sitting. we start laughing about how Mona used to act. What she used to, you know what I mean, as if she’s among us. Or what my dad used to say. when he’d get heated,

when he didn’t like something, So I find. that all these things honor. the person you lost. Meaning you don’t forget them. How ugly it is. when someone dear to you passes away. and you forget them. as if you put them in a drawer. and locked it, no. You should keep. engaging with their stories and their tales. with, I mean, you have to love them. otherwise if you don’t, you won’t be affected.

whoever it was. True. They didn't leave a mark in your heart. You don't have any feelings. towards them. Even with your grandchildren, it’s good to mention them. - You know? - For sure. Your grandfather was like this and that. Of course. Their great-grandfather. It's very important. I mean, it’s proof that. that their story is still there, that his good name remains, That's a good legacy.

- as they say - Truly. the good legacy. That’s what makes people remember you with kindness. and joy. What does love mean. to you? Love is the whole world. Love and affection, and everything around them. I mean, I say that. this is what distinguishes humans from animals. That feeling, that emotion, that... those things.

that make people. contain each other, and love one another. Everything is built on love. Your work is built on love. Your family, your children. I mean, imagine if. love wasn't there. How would we be like, machines? I mean. I say, love is. the symbol of humanity. Is it true that. when you first saw Claudine,

You said, “She’ll be my wife”. Yeah, of course. Is that true? Yes, instantly. How? When she arrived, and came in from the door. I said, “That’s the girl I want to spend my life with.”. Wow. She was sixteen. We were kids. I was nineteen, and she was. sixteen. How did you know? It’s just something... So you believe in love at first sight?

Of course. And I strongly believe that. a successful marriage. is one that. starts that way. That sparkle in your eyes. and you feel, “That’s her.”. Glory be to God. Of course I believe in it. When I read the story, I said, “This sounds like a movie”. A Turkish or Indian movie. How is that possible? No, that’s exactly how it was. One hundred percent. You’ve been married, God bless.

for over 35 years. Yes, 36 years. What do you feel. worked for you? What’s the secret. to the continuity. of a marriage for this long, especially in a time when marriages don’t last a year? Love and modesty. - Love and modesty? - And family. I mean, any man. and woman who don't want modesty. They’ll divorce the next day. I mean, you have to work on this, on this bond, you have to work on it every day. You have to keep loving.

you have to take care of them. Your family, it’s all connected. It's like you’re signing. a partnership, like a business. When I say business, people get upset with me. No. I say, marriage is like a business. you have to look after it, it needs care, you need to... It needs maintenance and all these things. so it keeps going. Otherwise, if there is no. love and feelings.

toward the person. you live with, or you love. you can leave at any time and walk away. True. But there are all these things. that have been built, from the day you met them until now. You've built many beautiful and tough things. You find that. the beautiful far outweighs the ugly. So how can someone. forget all those beautiful things, turn their back, and leave? What hurts you the most?

- What the most..? - That hurts you. I’m very sensitive, by the way. more than you can imagine. Honestly, even. a small word can hurt me. You have no idea. how delicate I am. What hurts me, maybe, is. when someone who. knows me so well.

might ask me a question, a silly question. a very silly question. You've already known me for so long. and you’re asking me this? I mean, it’s like. deep inside you want to tell the person, ''Despite all the days we've spent together..''. But. in the end, the thing that.

bothers me the most is. lack of loyalty. Right. Or when someone makes you feel. that you have placed them at a dear place in your life. they have a special place in your heart. They make you feel as if. you were. as if you were deceived by them. This feeling is extremely awful. Yes, truly. And how do you feel. as a father. of three children? That’s the most beautiful feeling in the world.

You know, sometimes I say, how pleased God must be with me, that. He’s given me everything, granted me wealth when I was a kid. granted me my wife. and my children, thank God. one after another. and thank God they’ve grown up, and how they are. How God provided for them, and they take care of themselves. I’m telling you,

I’m grateful to my Lord beyond what you can imagine, for the blessings He’s given me. What does Claudine mean to you? Claudine is my whole life. Do you really call her every morning? What else do you think? I read that every morning. you call her wherever you are around the world. Wherever I am. Of course, morning and evening, not just morning. Sometimes at noon too. That’s nice. Of course, what else. You say, “What else,” but. some people might not care at all. She can tell from my voice. whether I’m okay or not.

Of course, Turns out you’re a tough lover, Bou Elie. No, a tough lover. a tough lover and. she deserves it. No, that’s nice. And I say it. in a way, we men should all learn. - more and more - Of course. - A person should feel - Of course. otherwise there’s something wrong. I mean, it becomes, like. She's in your veins, present in you.

Beautiful. Thank God for everything. Was the area you were born in Damour? Yes, where I was born. Damour, okay. If you went back to. the younger Elie in Damour what would you tell him? Your younger self.

You have a strong memory. I go back to him every day. Little Elie exists. and is untouchable. I say, when something happens to him, it’s like. everything is gone. because. I mean. sometimes it crosses my mind to talk to him too. Are you happy? Are you content with where we've got? and with what you've done. I always feel that. this. little child. that’s inside you.

he must. live and die with you. you shouldn't forget him. because this is. your pure self. the pure part in you. that you can’t find anywhere else. it’s the innocence in your heart when you were a child. Sometimes you laugh at yourself, how you used to think. how you used to see the world.

I want to tell you that this. little Elie. he is something. very important. in adult Elie’s life. It’s really nice that you preserved him. For sure. I feel that’s a result of. creativity. and curiosity for life. and passion for life, that child stays inside. If the child goes. that’s it, you have. no curiosity, no passion. and no fun. you don't even have fun. You’re a human. don't forget that. What are you still learning up till today?

I learn every day. I never act. like I know everything, never. They say you learn every day. They say a person dies while still learning. Because, glory be to God, there are many things in this world. and as many situations. Right. As much as there are many things around us. you have to keep. learning every day. Imagine if I say, I know everything. No one knows everything.

It’s nice, you're a student of life. Okay, what’s the voice. What does your inner voice sound like? and what does it say to you every day? You know, everyone has an inner voice. What does that voice sound like? What does it say to you every day? Is it supportive? Is it critical? Get up off the ground, come on, get up. You know how? I talk like. I also talk to myself like that. Like sometimes.

I might be very tired. from work. from lack of sleep, I say, what happened to you? A person has to talk to himself. It’s very important for a person to talk to himself. Right, right. You’ll find that your inner voice is. heavy some days as well. You start thinking about stuff. and you. you need to shut it up. you need to. This is very important. Because a person's thoughts differ.

good days. and bad days. You need to stop it because. so you can keep. going with your daily life. What’s something people find surprising when they learn about you? They’re surprised by it? Like they don’t expect it. When they first meet you. they’re surprised. to learn this about you, about your personality. I’ll tell you the most common. What I find is.

not such a big deal. because it’s normal. that. I experience this everyday. What is it? I greet someone I don’t know. They say, We imagined you were different. We didn’t expect you. to be arrogant. Like. maybe the person inside me. with his simplicity. it is always what.. It's the first thing. people think to say about me. But for me,

that’s just a normal person. that’s how one should be. Right. What’s your relationship with money? Because your relationship is old. from childhood. when you felt you had to earn money. What’s your relationship with money today? It’s there when needed. - It’s there? - When needed. When needed. Like, for example, I’ve never thought. How much money I've got, or. I always think.

that when something comes up. it’s covered, I mean it’s there. It matters to me more than. to know. the value of a thing. or how much I have. I always ask myself. successful people, because, like, there’s. a kind of law. that a person who is desperate, who pants after something, that thing turns away from him.

But the person who. knows his worth and so on, things come to him. Even in love, if you run after. every girl you see. - no girl will love you - everything. But if you know your worth, the right girl will come to you. Same thing with money. Chase money. money runs away. I have never liked. people getting close to me. just because I am a person who has money. I even have. a bit of a radar for that. for spotting it.

when someone starts flattering you. because you have money. when he used to pass by you. thirty years ago. and not even acknowledge you, now he acts like. I have never. liked or respected. these things. for someone to respect me. for. what I have, not who I am. and to forget the human in me. because the person inside. is the essence. he is the one who brought the money. Right.

Wise words. What is the story. of the Oscars dress with Halle Berry? I read. that it was supposed. to be for someone else. and then Halle Berry. decided at the last moment that it suited her perfectly. and in the end. she won the Oscar. Let me tell you something. that very day. for me and for Halle. as for this whole story.

that day. it was a day. for me, it was. a very special day. Well, the dress. before Halle Berry won the Oscar. she was not that extremely famous artist. and taking the world by storm. She came to the office in Los Angeles. and tried on the dress. She fell in love with it. She took it home.

the lady called her. the manager of the office. She told her, please, I want the dress. She said, no, no, I will not give you. the dress at all. I am waiting. for something to happen to me. I don’t know, I feel. that something is going to happen to me. suddenly, out of the blue. and I will wear it. The woman was amazed with what she said. but she told her, fine. Suddenly, and then the Oscars came. and Halle Berry won. the first black woman.

So, everything. around that story. was unlikely to happen. and it all happened. I’d say it was a blessed moment. After the Beirut explosion in 2020. you went back and rebuilt your office in Beirut. in the same place. Why? What am I supposed to do? I’m used to this in the first place.

Let me tell you something. In Beirut until now, maybe. only because of the war. I lost maybe four houses. and I’d go back to build others. and move somewhere else. This is in my system. It makes no difference to me. that the house is gone. or the office is gone. What matters is no one got hurt. So naturally, the next day I start fixing it again.

And maybe this. isn’t just a trait in me, it’s a typical Lebanese trait. because the Lebanese always dusts himself off, gets up, and carries on, He starts over. And I heard also, Bou Elie, that you. helped a lot of people. to get back on their feet. especially those whose. offices or businesses were destroyed. you personally helped them. I know you may not like to talk about this, but I heard. I came accross during this research I know you may not like to talk about this, but I heard. I came accross during this research. I even heard that you helped people from the same field.

in fashion. and that you didn’t differentiate, anyone you could help. you went and helped them. I mean, I don’t like to talk about it. That’s why I mentioned it. It's natural for me to do that. It’s natural. When I heard. I felt it was. good news. and it’s nice that no one knows. but I thought, this indicates and reflects a person’s character. It’s a human matter. more than business than. ''No, if they were devastated,

I can fix the business''. ''but I'll fix only my business''. I never say. even. many times. maybe only one person knows what I did. which is the one I dealt with face to face. Because I feel that. this is between me. and my Lord. so I I never like. to talk about it or. and it’s not just me, I and my children. my wife, my siblings, all of us are like that. It’s not necessary. for anyone to know what I did.

Nice. And back to the word, remember. we talked about. a person’s legacy. Pardon me? about the legacy of a person. I mean your father. may God have mercy on him, after he passed away. how people speak about him, that’s the best thing. someone come to the funeral and say. ''Elie used to do this''. ''Elie’s manners with''. my son or my daughter. with so-and-so. This is legacy. This question. I’m curious about. If you could.

Bou Elie. teach. every child in the world. just one lesson. What would you teach every child? I find that it’s very, very important for a person. that he knows the value of what he owns. that he knows the value of the water he drinks. and knows the value. I mean, if. you teach your child nothing else. teach him the value.

of everything he has. so he appreciates it and pays attention to it. That would be. the best thing you could teach a child. The value of things. I don’t know if you get me. You try to teach your son. or your daughter. the value of anything in their lives. so they give it its due value. If they value that. I mean, like if you give them a dollar and put it in their pocket. they know where to spend it and how to spend it. Like,

I mean, not that you. teach your son to understand. I mean, to know the value of things. I understand. even a single dirham's value. Think about it. you’ll find that. That's the most important thing to teach. What else should you teach your son? How to make money? You can't teach him that. What are you proud of right now? Personally, I am very.

I can't say exactly ''greedy''. the word is. like if something nice happened now. I would be already. thinking of the next thing. As if they devour one other. I mean, my ambition. makes this moment of pride always, it passes. It's temporary. a very short moment. because.

the nature of. our field. is that we’re always working on something new, preparing for the next thing. that’s coming. So they end up eating each other. Life taught me that. I should thank God for it, but don’t get taken by it. But of course. I’m proud and grateful. for my family. This is the most that I can say. I mean, it’s not pride as much as it is gratitude. for what God has given me.

Your description of ambition is beautiful. Because I, experience the same thing, even when I win an award or something. two minutes. Okay, next. Let’s move on. The hardest decision you've ever made? I've made so many hard decisions. I mean,

And I’ll tell you, most of the time. Claudine was the one who helped me make those decisions. She helped me. maybe, She’s the one who would tell me, “Don’t worry, do it, it’ll work out.”. You know, It was the case every time. but, I've went through many hardships. I’d say success without hardship.

is impossible. Because, success makes you make mistakes. Success sometimes makes you. make miscalculations. or. do something that doesn’t help you, or something that goes against you, But thank God. with faith and my solidarity. with my wife, and now my children. now I can say.

Everything good. that came to me was. from my family. Now, for example. Elie and his mother. Before, Claudine was. the main support. As for Elie, since the day he came into the world. when he grew up. I mean, he became also. a great support for me.

The reason is. we have the same. the same outlook on things. It’s like, by God’s grace, he’s absorbed. he’s absorbed my way of thinking. Because I’m a very family-oriented person, Bou Elie, I really love family. And I love. the foundation and stability. of the family. And I feel my family and I are very lucky. That we…. Wait, I just remembered something, Thank God they reminded me.

You once said, that your mother. is like an adhesive, Like glue, in your family. The funny thing is, I always describe my mom. as glue too, I say, without her the family would fall apart. She’s the one who holds us together. She’s the one who made us. a unit, like one team. So I realized. The importance of family. early in my life. I noticed that. If you build the family right. and strengthen it, It takes you everywhere, because those are the people who, When you’re sick, they’re with you,

When you’re famous, they’re with you, When you’re not famous, They’re still with you. So, I really feel. It’s like. immunity, I don't know. That they loved you when you were a kid, When you couldn't speak. That love is definitely always. of a different taste. Because they know you inside out, They love you with all your flaws, and all your. Beauty, and all your. We had a good talk, Bou Elie.

We talked about. Elie. The one I know, We talked about Claudine, And you have two sons, I have so many things to tell you about. About Celio and Michel. I want to tell you something, Celio. He’s a person. Who just melts your heart, Because of his love,

Because of. The feeling, the love. He carries for his family and sisters. And I’m telling you, whenever I want to. I mean, Celio. If I want to tell you what he does with me. That. He’s my financial adviser. I mean, he. He’s very talented in finance. He makes me laugh a lot.

Like, I take his opinion. On so, so many things. And his opinion is always very good. And beyond that, his personality. really isn’t like anyone else’s. I mean. Loving. Polite. Generous. Like, he has all the good qualities. And thank God he also brought us. a bride as well. I want to say.

I’m very happy that. with the choices the boys made. The girls they brought into the family. Thank God, they’re like our own daughters. I'd say. The way the family is growing. That, Thank God. It’s a blessing from the heavens. And regarding Michel. Michel resembles me a lot. Michel, to get a word out of him. to learn some news from him.

You need a lot of effort. And I feel that this is. I feel it’s a very fine quality of his. Meaning that, That, He doesn’t have the energy. to talk about something before it happens. Michel has a nature. He has a nature. that’s very unusual. He works. with great intelligence. He works quietly. He adores his siblings.

And he adores the family. I would say. If you asked him for a piece of him, he’d give you, as much as he has. He has extraordinary compassion and love. And he works. I mean, he spends. He spends his life on planes. He works a lot. He’s successful thank God. Do they all work with you? No, Michel. Not with me. Michel. Michel. Works with us on real-estate.

Okay, he works on that. That's a small part of his work. He has a lot of work. and Celio doesn't work with us. But he works with us on. Finance. He works with us. in our family office. Thank God, they're very happy. Thank God. As they should be. They're lucky to have you just like you are to have them. They're calm. - Good - Thank God. May God protect this blessing.

Amen, for all of us. Okay, you didn’t give me an answer. one difficult decision. Yeah, many, I told you, there are many. Is there one that you really feel was hard. a turning point. There was one that happened. roughly five years ago. It was like a slap,

I mean, maybe, a blow that hit us. It was, at the level of. our company, it was. a big hit. But thank God. we got through it. we took the right decision. and we took off again. Thank God. So it’s a pivot point, either you fall. or you fly? Do you mean in that sense? Yes, yes.

You could say that. You took the decision with. - With Claudine - With Claudine. and Elie. and thank God. Thank God. Do you feel, Bou Elie. that luck played. a role in your success? Let me tell you something, whoever says there’s no luck. I’m telling you that.

he doesn’t know how the world is. If I hadn’t been born. in Beirut, and if I hadn’t lived through the whole war. and if I hadn’t. How much I suffered. to put myself in line. If I had been in line from the start. I would’ve been so much ahead right now. Glory be to God, I find that. I don’t know if it’s called luck.

but destiny. Right. I say destiny is luck. Many factors. have to come together so that. things move forward and succeed. Yes, if you’re there. you can’t do anything. True. the talent is there. but see how much effort you have to exert. to bring that talent from there to here. and put it under the spotlight. Do you know how much work that takes? Right. Even you know, I mean, your story.

Bou Elie. is a strange story, I mean. An Arab guy. at a time when. no one even acknowledged something called fashion. People didn’t understand. what “fashion” meant. I was born in the eighties. and no one understood it back then. so imagine what it was like. for you. to stand out from all that jungle. and all that nonsense and noise. but that's not luck. and prove yourself. That’s why I say it’s not luck. It’s not luck. - It’s - Ambition. - Effort - It’s effort.

a daily effort. and stubbornness, you’re stubborn. Of course. there’s no ambition without stubbornness. ambition is. - a kind of - Right. - of stubbornness - Right, right. To never give up. until you reach the goal you want. but you have to stay on track. on the right path toward the goal. that takes a lot of work. and then the path opens up before you. that becomes a blessing from God.

and now you’ve paved the way for so many people. hundreds of. models and designers who came after you. Thank God. That, yes, an Arab can do it. I’m telling you, I’m feel very happy. with what I’m seeing. and I tell you that. the Arab youth. has intelligence. if he chooses to use it. that no one has. not the Americasn nor anyone else, you can see it in their eyes. the eyes of Arab youth, you feel that they speak. You feel they’re hungry.

hungry to do something. but, hopefully the future. will be one that’s. more open to our Arab youth. - Hopefully - Because. They deserve it. and they’re capable, believe me. They just need. the environment. the right conditions. the conditions and. I don’t know what it's called.

I feel the infrastructure. more of an infrastructure. It's not available. I mean imagine. that up until. just five years ago. there was nothing. for a child to see and be inspired by. in our regions. Here, even if you just walk down the street. and look at the buildings. that alone. is an inspiration. you feel we still have a long way. so that. the Arab youth.

can get. their rightful place in this world. True. all they need is guidance, believe me. because the talent is already there. What’s the weirdest dream you’ve had? While awake or asleep? There are both? Asleep. Yeah, asleep. I have a lot of. I have a lot of nightmares. I have a lot. Really? Maybe because of pressure. I suffer. I told you, like I said.

at the beginning of the interview that. since I think all day. about a mix of nice and ugly things. many nights it plays out. And is there a recurring dream? No. No, there isn’t a recurring dream. So you don’t remember the weirdest dream? a very strange one? Many strange ones. I told you, with the mix you live in. all day, it's normal. and with the things you hear and see. Right.

I’d say maybe this. since I’m so sensitive, maybe. that stays with me through the night. and some nights it torments me. What’s the best advice someone’s given you? - The best - Best advice. Advice. Given to me? and that is important to you. I don’t remember. No one told you anything?

I’d say. but, or maybe there’s advice you really like. or a saying. Very rarely. do I. spend my time thinking. about what people say about me or tell me. because there are so much senseless talk. You know, often maybe. sometimes they tell you something so tiny.

and you feel it. I mean to give you advice. Brother, go advise yourself before you advise me. Please. How would you know what I’m doing? and what... Right. I mean. I don’t like giving advice, and I don’t like anyone advising me. because very rarely. Sometimes I ask for advice. Right. For example. and what I always tell people. I tell them, don’t volunteer with advice.

unless asked. If I come and say to you, Can I ask you a question, then I’m ready. Of course. I’m ready to take it from you, but if you say. I’d like to advise you today. I didn’t ask you. It’s a bit weird. On the contrary, I. I’m telling you, I’m one of those. very few people. who since my very beginning. took appointments with people. who are highly experienced. and took their advice on specific matters. because any person.

who wants to move forward. and build a normal career. and grow. No one knows everything. You need to go to a true expert. and you ask him for advice. Right. Otherwise, those everyday advice.. - There’s - No need. A saying I really love. It says. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is ready. - Exactly - - the teacher appears.

You just have to be ready, so don’t volunteer advice randomly, you know? What do you fear? I fear failure a lot. I have an obsession. with that topic. If, Bou elie. you walked into a room. where everyone you’ve lost is there. every person you lost.

Who’s the first one. you’d look for? But why would I look for him? if they're all in one room? But there’s someone more important. Someone you might miss more. The closest one. Do you miss them all the same? Is there someone you miss more? No, but if I miss my dad. more than the others. and my father’s at the end of the room. Would I leave everyone else? That's also true. and go to my dad? Like, I understand. I’d enter the room. Your answers are unusually precise. No, it’s just. True.

Who’s the person whose memory. makes your heart ache the most? Makes your heart? Ache. Like, you feel sad when you remember them? I have many friends who passed away. who mean a lot to me. But it’s not like I get sad. I’d meet someone, and they'd say. We are so-and-so's friends. It happened to me just two days ago. I was having lunch with Elie. An American lady came up to us.

we didn’t know her. She said, “I’m a friend of that person”. They used to love you so much. You know.. For me, personally. you feel at that. at that moment as if. as if he appeared to you. or as if. You know what I mean? Like, he’s been gone for fifteen years. and there comes that moment. you feel that. it’s something so beautiful. Was your father.

proud of you? Yeah. Of course he was proud of me. And my mother is proud of me too. Thank God, Wait, did she wear a dress of yours or not? She wore many of my dresses. It’s nice too. It should be. No, come on. I’ll tell you something, because I. really appreciate. how they. used to see things. I told you, if I were in their place, I might’ve done the same thing. That’s good, that’s the wise perspective. Yes.

You know what? Since we’re already. in this mood. let’s play the game of fate. Fate? You like destiny, right? I’ll give you this game. after the shoot is over. You can play it with your children. Shuffle them for me please. And we’ll pick just one question. We'll pick one question, let's see you luck. It’s a fresh. fresh deck of cards. Okay, which?any one.

Pick one and I’ll ask you. Okay. Okay. I’ll ask you the question. Then throw that on the floor. That’s how you answer. Okay. The question is. What’s your weakness in life? Throw it. Be open. Answer honestly. What is your weakness in life?

My family. You’re afraid for them, health wise? or for their security? In general. Do you spend a lot of time with your family? Do you have quality time together? Not as much as you think. Is the saying true? ''Dearer than one’s child. is the grandchild''?

The feeling. The feeling is different. I mean, I can only. tell you from your experience. That's what I'm asking. I’ll tell you about it. For me, I haven’t felt that yet. Let me tell you why. Because my grandson comes. or my granddaughter. I’m happy, I laugh with them and so on, then they leave.

But my son. I mean, I still. He always. feels that he wants to get back to his parents. But my son. gives me a different feeling. I mean, They’re not alike in that aspect. But when you say “dearer”. I don’t know. I tell them. that right now I can’t answer your question. I’m not in favor of that saying.

I tell them. that right now I. can’t answer you. If you ask me now. I’d say, no, my son. If you ask me now. But when the child grows up. and there’s communication between me and him. he looks into my eyes. I look into his eyes. Like, We have that experience. I’d say maybe they become equal to each other. True. But it’s just not logical.

that. your grandson would be. dearer than your son. Of course, you worry about him. like your son. and everything, but. I don't find them. the same. maybe. it’s different. in a different way. but they’re not the same. What does Lebanon mean to you? Honestly, Lebanon is my whole life. The thing is.

I feel like even the air is different. Do you get what I mean? I’m very attached to Lebanon. That’s the thing that sometimes. I really love. about the Lebanese. their sense of belonging. and their love is strange. and deep for this country. No matter how much the country dragged them up and down. and problems came and went. They adore it.

Maybe because of how much we suffered in it. and the hope. of a better tomorrow. We became compassionate. Maybe that compassion. turned into love, maybe. I don’t know how to explain it to you. I understand. I was born. with the hope. that the country will finally get fixed. I'm 60 years old now. Now my kids. How old are they now? I mean, Maybe that feeling is what’s giving us. this love.

Maybe. How do you want people to remember you, Bou Elie? years after you’re gone. How do you want people to remember you? In my truth. as I am. Or.. I mean, I’m sure that when I go. when I leave. people will find out so many things about me. that they never knew.

I hope that, with what I’ve lived. and what they’ll hear about me later. I'd still cross their minds. When, for example. someone. benefited from my journey. from my story, or. from me while I was alive.

Because believe me, I was. I’ve always been. an indirect teacher. What do they call it? A model. Role model, you mean? A role model who existed. Like, As real as everything was. as many people I've met in my work. the many guys who were trained by me. as many people.

worked with me. as much as my way of working. which is unlike anyone else’s. where nothing is hidden. Nothing enclosed. People come in and out whenever they want. Everything. is open to anyone who comes. I say they’ll discover later. the nice things that are in me. What do you feel is something you. do differently from anyone. you know in your work?

As a designer, what’s something. Elie Saab is doing. different from. anyone else you know? I don’t mean it like. arrogance, just difference. As a designer? Yes, what's different? What’s something you do. in a way you feel no one else can do like you? You mean in design? Honestly, I don’t think that way, but of course I have my own signature, and people like it. My signature is very simple,

the simplest thing. that God has created. It has no complications, and I never did anything. in my field. trying to show off. or put layers over layers, mixing sleeves. but I never, never tried to. You know, some designers get confused, they either want people to say “wow”.

but I'm satisfied. with the talent I have, or what I create, I bring the beauty. of people as they want. showing them. in a very elegant and fitting way. For me, this is. Elie Saab's World. Simplicity. You know what. Leonardo da Vinci said? “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”. The most complex thing is simplicity. - Exactly - In everything.

What looks simple, you feel was easy. the easiest thing is to make a dress with four sleeves. - But for what? - Maybe. Try simplifying it. that’s where the real challenge lies. Absolutely. After. God willing, and now I’ve come to know you even as a person, you've become even dearer to me. after a long life. with health and laughter, and your grandchildren. All of them. If you could imagine, you’re at the last moments of your life,

on your bed surrounded by your loved ones, everyone you cherish, love and value. and they’re all with you. What do you feel they should hear from. Elie Saab. before he leaves? If they’re waiting for this moment to hear. whatever you say then. Is there something you feel they should hear?

for that moment, one should hear. If all my life. if all these days we lived together. They didn’t learn. No, I mean. I’d say. that wouldn’t be the time for talking. Like, What would one even say? On the contrary, After all these days and years. It's enough to look at them. fill your heart with them. and leave. Words aren’t necessary. I’m someone. who talks very little, by the way.

Now I’m surprised how much I'm talking to you. I'd say, words. aren't really necessary. You, God bless, use actions. I feel you act. you don’t talk much. at all. - I don’t talk - action. And you know, honestly, our kids. they learn most, I’ve noticed, only from observing us. not from you going to tell him, I’ll teach you a lesson today. about respect for example. Sure. but if he sees you respect the waiter.

and sees you respect the driver. - He'll act like you - He'd say, okay, my dad. No, I mean. the person in front of you, whatever their status is. they're human. whoever they are. Last question. Elie in one word. Elie Saab in one word. or Elie in one word.

Honestly, I don't know. Take your time. Take your time. Yes, but. I'm not finding. I don't know how to think of it. Okay, let me make it easier for you. You and I are walking down the street here in Paris. and we see Elie walking, Elie Saab walking. I tell you, this person,

in one word, who is this person in one word? I don’t know, but I’ll tell you that I. have so many people, thank God, so many people who love me, I have many, I mean, How do I tell you? I feel, I feel people’s appreciation for me,

I mean, I sense it. without them having to say it, that he is. a human, ''Human'' is an easy word. a human in every sense of the word, I guess. But what does ''Human'' mean? There’s an honest one, there's a good one, No, a good human, No, wait, I’ll play this game with you further, - Tell me - We have to find a word. because many people like to answer “human,”.

but I reject that answer because. no, it’s just. like, we need to reach a word that truly represents you, you as a person, your whole humanity. this human being. Let's ask Elie. No, you cannot consult a friend. No, no, we need to feel, what are you? I’ll tell you what I felt. that day I visited the Maison. Sally was praising you. because Sally was there with you all,

and she was organizing the place. from the beginning of the day. She was so excited, saying how neat and kind you are, and so on and so on, and how your team is. and I came to your wedding, and I visited you. in Paris, at your shop. and after dealing with your team, and with you and your son, I said, “Class”. I saw you all as a family, all of you are incredibly refined, and that doesn’t even need words, that’s behavior.

That’s just what I saw. No one can call themselves classy. I know that, that's what I said. I’ll say it about you. That's what I'm saying. But you. tell me yourself. A person couldn't praise themselves. No no, that doesn’t work, I know. But what do you feel? It’s not praise, what do you feel.. is your essence? Ask the audience. You couldn't be the only guest. who didn’t answer me, it doesn't work. Believe me, I don't have an answer. What shall I say? That I’m good? - No - A decent person? That I am.

Is Elie here? Junior is here. Come help us, then. Come in, come in. Join us at the end. We're calling in the family for help. Summarize for us. Your father in one word. He couldn't be summarized in one word. - Try - It's hard. One word? He definitely won’t tell you. I know. That’s why I’m trying.

The hardest thing for him. is to talk about himself. Okay, If you and I were walking down the street. and we see your father from afar. Okay, we're walking down the street. We see your father from afar, and I ask you to summarize that human. Human, not your dad. Come, come, finish this answer for us. In one word? It’s really hard, Try. - I mean, - I know. It’s a hard question. I’m very biased. It’s okay. If we see him and I ask you. Give me.

One word. Do I know him or not? No, you know about him. - Not a fan - Not your dad. The obvious choice would be. ''Original'' for sure. Original. If you don’t know him. You see everyone else, If you know him? If you know him personally? Oh, a lot more. So much more. Like, Totally. as a person? He is indescribable, honestly.

Because everything. you might know about him. Would still be little compared to the truth. You've tired us, Saab family. You are hard. - You see? - You're hard. Okay, ask Rafif. Come on, Rafif. Humane. Humane, that’s close to his answer. Humane is nice. We could’ve said “humane”. You said “human”. - Humane - Humane. Self-made. Self-made, that’s nice. Honestly, they love you, Elie.

Look at you. Everyone loves you. Good. Thank you for your time. My dear. Appreciate it. I enjoyed my time with you.