Actress Jamila Awad stars in Armani Beauty campaign

DUBAI: Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad has unveiled his latest collaboration with Italian label Marina Rinaldi. Murad designed the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 capsule collection inspired by China’s Tang dynasty. 

Drawing from the dynasty’s introduction of peony cultivation in imperial gardens, Murad infused the collection with images of the flower.

The collection focuses largely on eveningwear.

“Grand evening gowns go beyond the pure object, they are a way of investing in one’s personal history,” the designer said in a released statement. True to his signature style, the collection features hourglass silhouettes and intricate hand-embroidered details.

The collection’s color palette mirrors another element of Tang dynasty artistry — delicate chinaware. Soft shades of cream, sky blue, aquamarine green and pink infuse the flowing chiffon gowns, pleated bodices and long plisse skirts. 

“These looks wrap and enhance all women,” said Murad, highlighting the collection’s inclusive and flattering designs. The pieces are crafted from a mix of luxurious fabrics, including cady, pure silk georgette and shimmering sequins hand-sewn onto tulle to create a wave effect.

The silhouettes range from semi-fitted bodices that gently flare out to rich, flowing kaftans adorned with peony motifs. The collection also features long-sleeved gowns with deep V-necklines that emphasize the waist, along with sleek trouser suits for a modern touch.

The Tang dynasty ruled china from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. The period was known for its flourishing arts and culture scene, with imperial ceremonies reviving the practice of hosting orchestras and companies of dancers. China in this period was also open to outside influences as as Arabian and Persian seamen did trade in the area.

This is Murad’s second collection for Marina Rinaldi that merges historical influences with contemporary fashion. 

The designer has been recognized for his detailed craftsmanship in haute couture and bridal fashion. Since founding his brand in 1997, he has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Blake Lively, Kristen Stewart, and Scarlett Johansson on major red carpets. 

He is also one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.

DOHA: Artists from around the world are showcasing their work in Qatar at “Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent,” an exhibition running until May 15 at Doha’s Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University.

The show features more than 20 installations by international artists exploring themes of artificial intelligence, creativity and identity. Among the contributors is Doha-based Bangladeshi artist Farjana Salahuddin, whose interactive installation “Patterned Deserts: Where AI and Traditions Meet” is a key highlight.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Farjana Salahuddin (@far.j.ana)

The experiential piece invites visitors to run their fingers through sand, encouraging them to reflect on the dynamic relationship between human creativity and technological advancement, Salahuddin said. As they move their fingers, shapes and lines form in response to their touch.

“It’s an interactive, sensory experience where people can connect with the piece and move their fingers through the sand,” Salahuddin told Arab News. “It’s a way to contemplate how much impact we’re really having, or whether technology is taking over all aspects of our lives.”

Inspired by natural elements such as desert roses and shells, the installation blends human-made forms with tech-driven designs. “Sometimes the sand follows your movements, but other times it moves on its own,” Salahuddin said. “This reflects how technology is evolving, sometimes complementing us and other times taking its own course.”

The interactive media artist, who was raised in Doha, drew inspiration from the city’s changing landscapes. “Doha is my home and it is transforming so much. In some places, you'll see that their identity is completely changing, and it’s all steel and glass,” she explained. 

“But then in some other places, we are trying to preserve the meaning in so many different ways, like the National Museum. It is such a contemporary place. So, we can build contemporary things, while keeping our identity in place as well.”