Harper’s Bazaar Arabia 200th Anniversary Issue: Christina Mourad Saab And Elie Saab Jr. On Love At First Sight
Introducing the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia x Cartier LOVE cover series, celebrating the 200th April 2025 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia…
Don’t believe in love at first sight? Elie Saab Jr., the Group CEO and Vice-Chairman of Elie Saab and his wife Christina Mourad Saab are proof that sparks can immediately ignite – and keep burning.
“My anchor, my home, my stability;” it’s obvious this couple was written in the stars, as Elie Saab Jr. echoes the same words to describe his wife Christina, as she uses when reminiscing about him. “Honestly, I believe we were meant to be,” he says. “The first time I saw her, I knew that she was going to be my wife.” His partner-in-life concurs that it was literally love at first sight, as she knew he was the one, “When I said hello to him the first time. We got engaged three months after we met. I felt his confidence, his charisma, his smile… an energy.”
This clearly devoted duo, who got married in 2019 after a 13-month engagement, understand the ephemeral quality of adoration. “It’s something you cannot really explain. It’s something that you can feel and you don’t know until you actually experience it,” says Elie. Christina adds that it is about, “Finding a deep connection with someone to an extent where you feel it’s home. It’s respect. It’s knowing each other, talking to each other without speaking…”
Theirs is clearly a fairytale romance, but who played cupid? “I was having dinner with his brother – we were friends – and he suggested we have drinks at their place after. We went there and I saw Elie,” she laughs. “He was sitting surrounded by beautiful ladies and when I came in, I said hello to everyone, and to Elie too. He pulled my hands and put me next to him and we started talking – that’s when we met,” and the rest is history.
It may have been intimidating marrying into haute couture royalty – of course there was no conundrum as to who would design Christina’s two incredible wedding dresses – but her other half instantly put her at ease. “His most positive characteristic is that he is true to himself and you get what you see. He’s someone who gives without even expecting something in return, and he is so generous in every single way,” Christina tells us.
Elie Jr. is quick to return the compliment; “I think what I like the most about Christina is how genuine she is, how happy she is as a person, and how caring she is as a wife and a mother. This is very important to make a home.” The couple’s relationship has of course evolved since four-year-old Sophia and their toddler son entered their family. “It’s deeper, more mature. We complement each other, so we help each other in different ways and we are more like accomplices,” Christina says. “We have the same values and morals, so we are aligned.”
They’ve been each others’ cheerleaders through good times, and constant companions through challenges; “Christina supports my ambition, my vision while making sure that the family is well taken care of,” Elie Jr. who overseas a multi-faceted empire gives his partner credit. “It’s not easy to be with someone that has the lifestyle I have, mostly driven towards work. She supports me every day.” Christina meanwhile visibly breaks down when she recalls that he was her steadfast rock who comforted her when her father passed away.
And despite their hectic schedules, they always prioritise time with each other. “We always do dinner together,” Christina divulges. “We sit together every day. I love talking, but Elie is not someone who expresses his feelings [through words]. He expresses them by the way he acts, by his presence. He manages to do everything without you even knowing that you needed it.”
What’s the biggest gift they’ve given each other? “Life. She gave me life,” Elie Jr. says fondly. “Me too. Life with him,” his soul mate concurs.
Lead Image Credits: Christina and Elie wear Cartier Love Jewellery, all Cartier. Christina wears: Dress; Sophia wears: Dress, both Elie Saab. Elie wears: Blazer, Zegna. Shirt, Canali. Trousers, Incotex. Belt, Tod’s.
Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Phillips. Acting Editor-in-Chief: Sophia Serin. Creative Director: Marne Schwartz, Tamim Mortaza; Vice President: Farrah Taylor. Group Managing Editor & Words: Natasha Faruque. Art Director: Paul Solomons. Photographer: Mattia Guolo, Vladimir Marti. Movement: Jamie Neale, Adrien Galo. Production: Steff Hawker, Jean-Marc Mondelet. Make-up Direction: Anna Sadamori, Raffaele Romagnoli. Set Styling: Camille Rousseau. Videography: Maycon Dehan. Fashion: Gabriela Cambero, Charlotte Marsh-Williams. Hair Direction: Jean-Luc Amarin, Adam Garland. Nail Artist: Nafissa Djabi, Leyla Mistry. Photography Assistants: Alessia Azzolini, Alessio Spanu, Manfredi Prestigiacomo, Macky Navarro; Videography Assistants: Larissy Leandro. Production Manager: Gijo Thomas. Image Editor: Jemima Joy. Production Coordination: Erin Steel, Chloe Christodoulou, Marina Moravenova. Hair Assistants: Tracey Nguyen, Yihan Jen, Ziyan Zhang, Wenting Zhangn, Bella Hudgell. Make-up Assistants: Ismahane Benabbou, Natalia Bokan, Roberto Meloni, Sitara Nash, Gabriel Leggieri. Nail Assistants: Yasmine Hilali. Editorial: Milli Midwood, Meeran Mekkaoui.
