New youngsters’s e-book charts the rise of Lebanese clothier Elie Saab

Suhair Sultan just lately printed her first e-book, a youngsters’s story about Lebanese clothier Elie Saab.

Elie Saab’s life It could seem to be an unlikely story to youngsters, however for Sultan, the designer’s story is ideal, because it epitomizes themes of hope and kindness, two traits she feels are sorely wanted in at present’s world.

“It began in 2018,” he says. The Nationwide. “I walked into the Kinokuniya bookstore within the Dubai Mall and noticed various books about well-known individuals, however they have been all individuals from the Western world.”

Rising up in Manchester, Sultan says she was a baby who used to learn many books and had all the time liked the theme of hope contained throughout the pages. “I liked it, all these books that talked about how for those who work laborious you’ll be able to obtain many issues. However I did not see that right here.

“So I stated to myself, ‘Think about if I can write books for youngsters within the area about characters they’ll relate to, who went by way of hardships however turned profitable and well-known. Let me write about characters that exist in between. “. This one proper now.”

I wasn’t certain the place to start out, however the inspiration got here from a documentary a few designer. “I noticed Elie Saab have fun her son’s marriage ceremony in Lebanon. She might have finished it wherever, however she stated she wanted the individuals of Lebanon to become profitable.”

Impressed by his willingness to assist assist others, Sultan started to research him and found that not solely was Saab now a world-famous couturier, however that, as a baby, he had survived the Damour bloodbath in Lebanon in 1976. He knew he had his theme. . “I wish to inform the kids, that is the place he began and that is the place he has come.”

As an example her story, Sultan contacted artist Cath Donaldson in Abu Dhabi, and the couple had a collection of conferences over a number of months at a restaurant in Dubai’s Iba Battuta mall as a result of, Donaldson says, she was “midway between the place We each dwell.”

Donaldson was impressed with Sultan’s willpower to convey the story to a wider viewers. “The entire thought of ​​him is basically fascinating,” explains Donaldson. “There are tons of books about excessive achievers, however they are typically Western individuals, so the thought of ​​him is to take a look at individuals within the Center East. He has monumental perception.”

It took Donaldson six months to finish the illustrations, most of which was spent on analysis. “Since this can be a true story, it was crucial that it had the texture of Beirut within the 1970s, even within the garments individuals wore, the buildings, the road indicators, and what the automobiles seemed like. I noticed so many films historical .”

With the e-book coping with Saab’s escape from Damour and his subsequent rise to vogue fame, the pair deliberated on one of the best ways to translate in order that youngsters might perceive with out horrifying. “I needed to discover a method to illustrate a very tragic occasion, the bloodbath, the place out of the blue everybody needed to drive away,” explains Donaldson. “Sultan’s language is basically good and fairly open, so mother and father can determine to elaborate or depart it at that. The drawing is simply strolling away, whereas giving mother and father an opportunity to speak about it.”

Donaldson’s work is vital to the e-book, particularly documenting two highly effective moments in Saab’s life: his household’s elopement from Damour and Halle Berry amassing her 2002 Oscar in one in all his robes, a transfer that propelled the designer onto the stage. world.

Whereas Donaldson was creating the drawings, Sultan encountered a brand new drawback. “The publishers advised me, that is by no means going to occur, you want Elie Saab’s permission. So I known as her firm and stated, ‘Can I write your life story?’ I used to be away so I needed to wait two weeks, however then his PR lady known as me and stated she liked it. Forward”.

Encourage Media Group picked up the e-book and printed it first in English to gauge public response, with plans for an Arabic model later. Having taken 4 years, Sultan admits it was an emotional second when he lastly acquired a duplicate in his arms.

“Can I inform you the reality? I cried,” he says. “I can not inform you in regards to the journey, the ups and downs. I used to be going to surrender, however discovering Cath was a miracle. I ship her a signed e-book with the message: ‘Thanks for responding to my e mail. You modified my life that day.'”

Though the journey has been in depth, there’s an echo of Sultan’s personal expertise in Saab’s account. “All the time be good to individuals, as a result of you do not know what they are going by way of. After we see individuals like Saab, we predict: Oh, they should have had such a straightforward and great life, however no, they have been by way of a battle.” and that’s the reason he’s sort. That’s the message of the e-book. Simply be good to individuals and see what occurs.”

Up to date: June 5, 2022, 2:15 PM