Elie Saab credits Halle Berry and Queen Rania with his success

‘Halle Berry is the reason my brand took off,’ the designer has said of the American actress

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sipa/Shutterstock (379656b)
HALLE BERRY AT THE OSCARS IN THE DRESS DESIGNED BY ELIE SAAB
ELIE SAAB - FASHION DESIGNER WHO DESIGNED HALLE BERRY'S OSCAR DRESS, BEIRUT, LEBANON - 2002
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He is one of the biggest names in fashion, but Elie Saab credits Halle Berry with his success.

This week, the Lebanese fashion designer spoke to Australian Vogue about becoming a household name and the many international celebrities who have worn his designs.

"Halle Berry made the name Elie Saab more popular … She managed to really put the name Elie Saab on the international market," he said, when asked which celebrities have worn his pieces and have left an impact on him.

Best Actress nominee Halle Berry prepares to present the Oscar for achievement in Sound during the 74th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, 24 March 2002.   AFP PHOTO/TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)
Halle Berry wears Elie Saab as she prepares to present the Oscar for Achievement in Sound during the 74th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, in March 2002. AFP

"[That time] was a better time for cinema in general. [Halle Berry] was the first woman of colour [to win the Oscar] … It was elegant and daring and chic. I think this moment was a very exceptional moment for cinema," he added.

Berry wore one of his designs when she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002 for her role in Monster's Ball. The dress was a striking sheer-topped gown with embroidered detail and a full skirt.

Another notable name he pays tribute to is Queen Rania of Jordan, saying, "She is a woman who presents the women of our region. [She is] very pretty and very chic … worldwide. She has given women in the region an attitude that is very valuable.”

Jordan's King Abdullah II and his wife Queen Rania arrive at a reception to mark his formal ascension to the throne, at Raghadan palace in Amman 09 June 1999. Abdullah became king after the death of his father, King Hussein, 07 February 1999. (Photo by JAMAL NASRALLAH / AFP)
Queen Rania wears Elie Saab for the investiture of Jordan's King Abdullah II on February 7, 1999. AFP

Queen Rania has a long history of wearing Elie Saab designs. She famously chose a gown by the Lebanese designer to the 1999 investiture of her husband, King Abdullah.

On July 19, Saab celebrated the wedding of his son, Elie Saab Jr, in Lebanon. The designer created the stunning gown his daughter-in-law, Christina Mourad, walked down the aisle in.

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Read more:

Stunning photos of Elie Saab Jr's lavish three-day wedding

Paris Haute Couture: Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad & Valentino - in pictures

Elie Saab’s 51 greatest red carpet gowns of all time – in pictures

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