Zuhair Murad launches collection inspired by Ancient Egypt

The designer’s spring/summer catwalk at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week gave audiences a blast from the past and a new direction for female empowerment in the fashion industry

Over 5,000 years ago, renowned Queens of Northern Africa like Nefertiti and Isis graced history with their vibrant beauty and power. This year, their majestic influence has been resurrected and combined with Murad’s household glamour to create 50 stunning treasures for audiences to gawk over.

If there were only a few things to know about the 49-year-old Lebanese designer and his £40 million empire, they would be glitz, gowns and global inspirations for his catwalks.

As the show begins, the golden spotlights slowly illuminate the marbled runway, lined with golden hieroglyphics. Then we are introduced to the first pieces of the collection, a golden ensemble with colourful blue Egyptian symbols and runes around the necklines and skirts, a reference not only to 32nd century BC religion but also a homage to Murad's early inspirations, Balmain and Dior, for their intricate patterning and detail. There are a few more contemporary homages throughout the colour palette of the collection, for example reflecting the red, white, gold and black of Egypt's flag.

But make no mistake, this elegance is not just for royalty, dotted among the floor-length gowns, sheer dresses and fitted pieces, there were also contemporary A-line skirts and jumpsuits. Moreover, the surrounding sea of technology and jazz and bass guitar music, reflect Murad's fusion of ancient culture with the modern-day woman.

Instagram stars and models Sofia Resing and Zhenya Katava grace Murad’s catwalk, combining the contemporary with the Midas touch. Greta Varlese and Leila Nda also make an appearance, although their names may not ring any bells now, their continued appearances on the cover of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar are definitely causing ripples in the Nile of Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Even though the makeup may seem very plain, it echoes Murad’s desire to celebrate women and their natural beauty.

Within the show, some constant features like embellished belts and heeled sandals, are examples of wearable high-street items with an Ancient Egyptian zest.

For the finale, Murad is in his element and can use the skills that propelled him into international recognition and admiration. A lavish wedding dress. A constant feature at the end of all of his couture shows. This time, the result being a love-child of Murad's diamond addiction and 1960s Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra.

Murad's latest history lesson has not bored audiences, but instead provided a deluxe excavation, revealing the artefacts that inspired this Cairo-Couture.