When it comes time to glitz and glam on the red carpet, Kristen Stewart, Kate Hudson and Taylor Swift choose Zuhair Murad. Even Barbie has rocked his chic couture garb — in the last year, Murad has designed a lavish, black beaded gown inspired by a Blake Lively frock and a Jennifer Lopez look for the plastic fashion plate.
It’s no wonder the Lebanese couturier is an A-list favorite — his collections brim with femininity and Old Hollywood glamour. But this season, Murad is adding a contemporary twist.
“The inspiration is about modern architecture, he says as he thumbs through intricately beaded gowns and bold-shoulder blazers at his Parisian studio. “This season we aren’t talking about flowers or romance. I wanted it to be more strong, edgy, modern and neofuturistic.”
Murad’s fall/winter 2014 couture collection drips with his stunning signature embroidery, absorbed in jewel-toned hues ranging from emerald greens to sapphire blues. Rachel McAdams was already spotted in one of the stunning new frocks — a one-shoulder, cross-draped dress — which she wore to the New York premiere of “A Most Wanted Man.”
The fine details in each piece from the new collection prove that Murad gowns are a labor of love.
“For me, it’s my world,” says Murad, whose ready-to-wear, bridal and accessories lines are sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue Kleinfeld and Mark Ingram Atelier. “I love working with embroidery because I draw all the designs for each pattern. We now have 45 people working just on the embroidery.”
As the designer pulls an abundantly adorned champagne caftan from the collection racks, it’s clear why brides and celebutantes alike trust Murad with their moment in the spotlight.
“This beaded caftan takes days and nights, nights and days to embroider,” he says. “It has already taken two months for multiple people to sew each bead by hand, one by one, and it’s not even finished yet.”