After a year of social distancing and digital fashion shows, Paris Couture Week is returning with physical shows once again this year. Still open to some digital shows, the fashion event is making a comeback with just eight shows that will take place between 5th- 8th July 2021. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode made the announcement on Monday 7th June with a list of participating designers in physical shows including renowned Lebanese couturier, Zuhair Murad.
Murad’s Autumn/Winter 21 show joins the likes of Dior, Azzaro Couture, Chanel, Giorgio Armani Privé, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier and Vaishali S on the Paris couture runway. This year, physical fashion shows have been kept to a minimum and the number of guests have also been limited in order to maintain social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Zuhair Murad isn’t the only Arab designer presenting his collection, as Georges Hobeika, Elie Saab and Maison Rabih Kayrouz among other international fashion houses like Fendi, Viktor & Rolf and Giambattista Valli, will also showcase their latest creations virtually.
One day before the beginning of Paris Couture Week, newly appointed art director at Alaia, Pieter Mulier, will debut his first official collection for the high-end Parisian label. The show will mark the first since the death of Tunisian couturier and founder, Azzedine Alaia, and what’s more is that the show will also present its ready-to-wear collections with the couture for the first time.
The Alaia show will take place exactly four-years after Azzedine Alaia’s last show in July 2017.