I just fell in love with Mr. Murad

In my quest to find a nice cocktail dress that's not tres expensif for a friend's wedding, I realized that in the sea of independent designers and online shopping sites, the selection is still quite limited. You flip through each and every store in the mall and they almost offer the same thing, perhaps just a different color or fabric, but it's practically the same. (Either that or I got so impatient - making my way through the crowded mall that I just decided to take the next shuttle and head home.

So when I got home, I decided to google "mullet dress" because I was so convinced I'm wearing one by hook or by crook. I just need to find a pretty design that my trusty manang could copy and voila. I've come across this stunning piece by Versace that Jennifer Hudson wore at the Grammy's (with her rocking body and battle scars, ie. stretch marks. I think I loved her more when I saw her stretch marks and how she doesn't give a damn if they're displayed for the world to see. ) which would have been perfect if I have tatas as big as hers and if I'm not attending a Chinese wedding.



Several Google pages later and I came across this beauty. Never mind that Blake is wearing it and her mile long pins gave justice to this stunning creation, but I just knew I found the one (well, maybe after lotsa tweaking. ;)) The pic caption stated that the genius behind my obsession is a man named Zuhair Murad.  I've heard of him several times before, with Taylor Swift's Grammy dress as his latest photographed work, but I don't really know much about him or his style. Thanks to the talented Mr. Google, I stumbled into what seems like a gold mine of heart-attack inducing dresses. (Note to self: Everytime you want a piece of chocolate, think of his dresses! It will be an instant appetite-suppressant.)

His dresses, esp those from the Fall 2010 collection are very intricate and romantic. Before, I can only associate that adjective with Marchesa, but not anymore. His collection plays with lots of lace, beading and odd but stunning details (just like the hyper-extended waist band of Blake's dress) which I, personally, adore (If I were as thin as Blake, and I have a social function every night, I'll buy his whole collection in a heartbeat. I'll buy a mannequin for each piece and stare at them all day. That's how obsessed I am.haha). Other times, they're very structured and almost costume-y. He's so talented that I feel like each and every piece of his work is meant to make a woman feel as sexy as she could possibly feel while looking classy. His ball gowns will definitely make you feel like a fashionable princess while the slits on his evening dresses are strategically placed to give just the right amount of omph. The way he plays with fabrics, overlapping different textures, just amazes me. Jersey on lace? Who would have thought that would work. But it did, and magnificently, if I may add.

In a world dominated by European couturiers, it's a breath of fresh air to see a Lebanese making waves in the world of high fashion. While the richness of his country and culture, is not doubt a massive inspiration to Mr. Murad, I bet it is sheer talent that etched his place in one of the most competitive industries there is.