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I was recently afforded the unique opportunity to interview Zuhair
Murad, a world renowned fashion designer of Lebanese descent who has been dubbed the “king of the Italian catwalks” by his industry peers, and wanted to bring his insight and fashion genius to my readers. With an immensely busy atelier in the commercial sector of Beirut, Zuhair Murad has become one of the preferred fashion houses for Middle Eastern royalty and international celebrities, and the house continues to grow
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Your pieces are beautiful and wonderfully unique; what inspires you as a
designer?
ZM: Inspiration comes from everything! Everything around me might inspire me; the history of countries I visit, traveling, movies, nature. Actually, the woman herself is an inspiration.
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How did you get started in the fashion industry and what have you learned over the years?
ZM: I’ve loved drawing designs ever since I was a child. I’ve always loved to work in the world of luxury & design. Ever since I’ve started working on my own fashion house, each design I make, each fashion show I prepare, is an added value to me and to my way of thinking, the way of looking at things. It’s all about the inspiration and the mood you’re in. I’ve learned a lot of course, I started with one dress, and here I am, working on a whole collection for each season, without forgetting the Prêt-a-Porter collection.
Of course I didn’t do all that all by myself, there’s a whole team to who I feel so thankful.
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Fashion is anything but static. What trends do you foresee for the upcoming 2006 season, and what hot trends today may be on their way out
tomorrow?
ZM: Well for the 2006 season, 50's are still on. Usually a trend can last for 10 years. Concerning Haute Couture, embroideries are always there;
printed fabrics, flowery and geometric prints also. As for the type of fabrics, there are satin, silk and ribbons, muslins, and volants; everything that brings the femininity out of a woman.
As a designer, how do you feel you have given back to your community?
ZM: Art. In my opinion, Haute Couture includes all sorts of art. The drawing, the painting, the sculpting, the music during the fashion show, and even creating a little movie about the fashion show!
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In your own words, what is the best part of your job?
ZM: Mainly I love to see each finale of a collection; when all the models go out to the catwalk. I feel that it is the best part, where all the stress is gone!
If there is one thing you could change about your job or the industry as a whole, what would it be and why?
ZM: Nothing. If you want to change something it won’t be called creative. I’m glad that Haute Couture is as it is. I love it the way it is.
OK, we've got to ask. You're already an accomplished designer... what is on the horizon for Zuhair Murad?
ZM: There are lots of dreams that already came true, but there are still many steps forward to go. |
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I would love to make various brands bearing my style, and of course being a part a huge event, in Hollywood maybe, being the costume designer of a huge musical or movie or something.
One look at Zuhair Murad’s designs and I do not think anyone will bet against him realizing those Hollywood aspirations. For more information on Zuhair Murad’s designs, company, or the designer himself, please visit
http://www.zuhairmurad.com.lb
Christine Preetha Philip, is the Designer of ChuChu Couture.
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