A Symphony of Style: Lebanese Creativity Captivates the Paris Runways
Georges Hobeika collection. Paris Fashion Week, October 2025. ©This is Beirut

As Paris Fashion Week unfolded from September 27 to October 7, the city became a showcase for the world’s leading creative minds. Among them, Lebanese designers once again stood out with remarkable artistry and cultural depth. Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika, both synonymous with elegance and innovation, presented their Spring–Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collections, proving that the spirit of Beirut continues to shape the global fashion landscape. Their presence highlighted Lebanon’s enduring contribution to haute couture and contemporary design, blending craftsmanship, heritage, and modern glamour on the Parisian stage.

This season, Paris once again moved to the rhythm of fashion. From September 27 to October 7, the city dressed in its finest attire to welcome Fashion Week, dedicated to the Women’s Ready-to-Wear Spring–Summer 2026 collections. On the official calendar, Lebanese designers once more carried high the banner of the Land of the Cedars on the world’s most glamorous stage. The Elie Saab Maison unveiled its latest collection, marked by elegance and lightness, while Georges Hobeika revealed his own vision of Spring–Summer 2026.

Though primarily associated with Haute Couture, these leading names—and other select houses—stand as the pillars of Lebanese fashion in Paris. Their meticulous craftsmanship, aesthetic embroidery, and creativity rooted in deep cultural heritage remain central to their work. Regulars on the red carpet, they seize every new opportunity to shine internationally as Lebanese designers. The doors of the Oscars, the Cannes Film Festival, and countless star-studded galas open wide before them.

Their creations are known to bestow on their wearers an otherworldly grace infused with a distinctly Beirut aura. Classic Western silhouettes and cutting-edge modern cuts blend seamlessly with Eastern charm. The masters of fashion envelop their designs in luxurious fabrics and intricate embroidery, channeling Levantine imagination and influence. Their vision is grounded in artisanal excellence and unmatched know-how, thanks to skilled hands preserving the traditions of embroidery, beadwork, sequins, and crystal embellishment—all executed with remarkable precision.

Inspired by antiquity or by Lebanon’s four-season nature, their motifs dance with theatrical opulence and beauty. They embrace the play of light and shadow on the runway, transforming each woman into a mystical figure—both ethereal and grounded—wrapped in fine fabrics worthy of the gods. This fluid approach to luxury and sensuality defines them as creators inspired by their homeland’s traditions. Organza, tulle, and chiffon flirt among elegant drapes that move with the body, imbuing each silhouette with poetic allure.

A master of structure and form, Elie Saab exalts femininity by sculpting and refining the silhouette, emphasizing each woman’s natural grace. The backs of his gowns often command attention, showcasing a focal point of subtle seduction. His modern princess dresses, rich in ornament and bridging East and West, embody a cosmopolitan style and a cultural dialogue uniquely his own. Neither wars nor economic crises have diminished his creativity or resilience. He stands as a proud ambassador of Lebanon’s timeless beauty.

Georges Hobeika, for his part, possesses the secret to blending elegance with sophistication, creating designs that defy fashion’s fleeting nature. His cuts radiate confidence and self-assurance through sensual, form-fitting lines. Lace fabrics and delicate inserts capture the light, creating striking contrasts. His masterpieces are distinguished by a soft palette of pastel hues—powder pink, sky blue, mint green—occasionally disrupted by a bold scarlet red that asserts modernity and freedom. His delicate motifs, shimmering embroidery, and celestial details create a dreamlike universe where couture craftsmanship takes center stage.

Also present among the internationally known Lebanese figures was influencer-entrepreneur Karen Wazen. Versatile and charismatic, her style combines refinement with charm. A key figure in the digital fashion scene, she shares her lifestyle, fashion choices, and luxury favorites with her audience, often highlighting her family and personal brand. She attended Paris Fashion Week alongside her husband, Lebanese entrepreneur Elias Bakhazi.

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