Marrakech, Morocco’s designated cultural capital in 2020, is becoming a hotspot for designers. In just the first half of 2019, it has hosted Christan Dior’s new Cruise Collection Fashion Show, inspired Chrissy Tiggen’s Moroccan home goods line at Target stores, and been in the news for influencing Zara’s color scheme. Most recently Lebanese Designer Zuhair Murad has announced that his 2019-20 Fall-Winter Collection was also inspired by the Red City. In May, actress Zhang Ziyi gave everyone a sneak-peek into Murad’s new line when she dazzled in a lacey-black floor-length gown at the 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival.
When speaking to Vogue at Fashion Week about his newest collection, Murad expressed, “Marrakech is paradise, I fell in love (after attending a Marrakech Gala),” he said. “It’s such a cosmopolitan city. There’s so much heritage and tradition there, but it also has a modern vibe. It’s like Beirut, but with a different style.”
Murad officially launched his “Mirages and Oasis,” collection on, July 3, 2019, in Paris at the Haute Couture Fashion Week. The pieces are inspired by the Marrakech of the 1970s. They are characterized by glittery colored sequins with classy bohemian traits, strong jackets and capes, thick belts and silhouettes characteristic of Moroccan kaftans. The colors are a mix of violet, gold, and ochre, hues, symbolic of Marrakech. The landscape and architecture of Marrakech, with natural ochre tones of the desert and the colors of the city… were great sources of inspiration.”
Murad opened his first atelier in Beirut in 1997 and quickly established a high reputation in the international fashion scene. “Ever since I was a child, I used to imagine designs for imaginary clients. I have always loved to work in the world of luxury and design…As my country is well known for its natural beauty…that expertise…made me fall into the world of haute couture,” says Zuhair Murad. His creations are lavish and sensational, with a keen use of extraordinary fabrics reminiscent of Egyptian princesses and Grecian goddesses. Murad’s line also includes haute couture, ready-to-wear, swimwear, and accessories. He has a boutique in Beirut on Charles Helou Avenue and the second on Rue Francois 1er in Paris. His Ready-To-Wear line can be found in over 100 boutiques world-wide.