He is a Moroccan-born Israeli designer. After serving in the Israeli defense forces, he attended the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Ramat Gan. He moved to New York city in 1987 and designed for bridal manufacturing designer, before working for Geoffrey Beene. In 1998 he began designing ready-to-wear women's clothing for Yves Saint Laurent. Elbaz was set to take over as head designer of YSL when Saint Laurent retired. This was no to be. The Gucci group limited took over YSL and with Tom Ford as head designer, Elbaz was fired. However he was appointed artistic director of fashion powerhouse Lanvin in Paris October 2001. He has won many awards, such as the international Award (Council of Fashion Designers of America) in June 2005 and was named Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, Paris, January 25, 2007. He was also in 2007, Elbaz was listed among Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.
