Jean-Louis Sabaji is part of a wave of couture fashion designers to emerge from Lebanon, flooding the international fashion market with a stunning array of dramatic designs and inspired aesthetics. The brand was founded in Beirut in 2012 and Sabaji has since made a name for himself by blending elements of surrealism with couture. From ready-to-wear collections to exquisite bridal gowns, it is his use of surrealism that has given his brand an edge and allowed him to stand out from the Lebanese designers who came before him.
“As young designers, and to keep the good name of the country which was built by the likes of Elie [Saab] and Zuhair [Murad], we should revolutionize and modernize the fashion industry,” Sabaji says. “We have to carve our own path.”
The Jean-Louis Sabaji Fall/Winter 2021 couture collection undoubtedly belongs on the red carpet, but also presents several incredible options for brides-to-be. Engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, themed pre-wedding parties, and formal outings during a couple’s honeymoon are all opportunities to show off a head-turning new look. For starters, there’s “Couture No. 5” – an elegant, all-black jacket-dress in black silk crepe which features latex lapels, a deconstructed side seam ruffle, and iridescent plumage.
Continuing with this theme of surrealism and avian details, Couture No. 13 is a black Chantilly lace dress with 3D laser-cut butterfly embellishments; Couture No. 4 brings out one’s inner mermaid with a bronze gown in foiled silk tulle, complete with handcrafted brass scallop shells; Couture No. 20 consists of a strapless dress in purple velvet, finished with coq plumes, crystal spikes, and Swarovski stones; Couture No. 24 is a slinky gown of liquid velvet and Lady Amherst plumes; and Couture No. 17 is a gorgeous green number made of black silk jersey, glass beads, bugle beads, and crystals.
