MILAN — Zuhair Murad has lent his glamorous vision and eveningwear expertise to Marina Rinaldi for the Max Mara Group brand’s latest collaboration.
The capsule collection that will be presented here Friday is imbued with a spirit of celebration, with looks ideal for special occasions and aimed at emphasizing the uniqueness of women, said Murad.
“The collection celebrates the craftsmanship and expertise of both brands, too,” added the Lebanese designer, who is known for his couture and bridal creations, as well as for dressing celebrities including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and Priyanka Chopra, to name a few. Recently, Murad created a wedding dress for Anisha Rosnah’s grand nuptials to Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei.
“When the collaboration with Marina Rinaldi was first pitched to me, I was very intrigued because I deeply relate with the brand’s commitment to highlighting the individuality of women. And this shared value made the collaboration a natural fit,” said Murad. “It was a challenging yet enriching experience to combine our strengths, incorporate their expertise in curvy fashion with my sensitivity for eveningwear and create something truly unique together.”
A preview of the Marina Rinaldi by Zuhair Murad collection.
Courtesy of Marina Rinaldi
Dubbed “Radiant Maze,” the range includes 13 looks nodding to precious gemstones, as the designer’s goal was to transfer their radiance to the woman wearing the collection and ensuring “she shines with confidence wherever she goes.”
In its most immediate expression, the inspiration was translated into a vivid color palette of bold emerald, ruby red and amethyst purple, in addition to crystal embellishments on black looks.
The mainly monochromatic pieces also have sequined and embroidered details, with key silhouettes encompassing flowing chiffon gowns, fitted bustier dresses and tuxedo suits, all meant to accentuate the curves.
Standout pieces include an emerald bustier adorned with hand-applied crystal chains, designed to enhance shapes without constraining the body; a ruby tulle dress featuring firework-like embroideries on the sides; an amethyst cape dress with sparkling embellishments on the shoulders, and a purple jumpsuit in stretch cady enriched with marabou and ostrich feathers on the sleeves. Other materials Murad deployed range from silk georgette to romantic Chantilly lace.
A preview of the Marina Rinaldi by Zuhair Murad collection.
Courtesy of Marina Rinaldi
The collection, which will hit a string of Marina Rinaldi stand-alone stores and select multibrand retailers worldwide starting from September, is not the first Marina Rinaldi capsule developed by a Lebanese designer. As reported, last year the brand collaborated with Dima Ayad on a holiday capsule collection of party-ready pieces infused with a dash of Middle Eastern opulence.
The Max Mara Group brand, which has long promoted body positivity by creating size-inclusive fashion since the ’80s, has a tradition of tie-ups. Previously it has worked with the likes of Mary Katrantzou, Sara Battaglia, Marco de Vincenzo, Tsumori Chisato, Stella Jean, Fausto Puglisi, Roksanda Ilinčić and Antonio Berardi, to name a few.