Whether she’s a planner or a last-minute dresser, the Zuhair Murad woman comes to life at night: she has a heavy social schedule, and she knows the designer has her covered.
With his resort collection, Murad dug into his arsenal and came up with lots of high shine: his stylized monogram cropped up in starburst form, silvery tweed was adorned with jewel-like framed monogram buttons, and silver sequins showered over a gown that was high impact yet surprisingly lightweight.
The designer—a history buff and inveterate traveler—decided to throw a little Mediterranean antiquity into the mix, as if he were plucking some freshly unearthed ceramics or a fresco from Pompeii and turning it into an evening gown. Ordinarily, prints are not Murad’s strong suit, but some of these pieces suggested the patina of time with conviction, perhaps in gold leaf on jacquard, or in embroidery on a long-sleeved mini-dress, or on a sleeveless white gown with a draped, twisted halter top.
Elsewhere, Murad offered up a number of looks that went light on embellishment and looked stronger for it. A couple of draped black gowns come to mind, as does a burned coral number with a jeweled shoulder and plunging back. Even some of the jersey lamé goddess dresses looked like they could stand the test of time. That in itself is a feat.
