Boudoir fashion – Zuhair Murad زهير مراد‎ #PFW

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Set in a swanky hôtel particulier in the très chic 8th arrondissement, the Zuhair Murad presentation felt more like an opulent cocktail party than a fashion presentation. Ladies in fur coats sipping champagne rubbing elbow with the photographers and the designer himself, while about 15 models models worked a lighted circuit around the room. White-gloved service floated around offering bubbly and petit fours, in a room with lounge chairs for guests overlooking a luscious garden (in the middle of Paris, yes) and a second salon for viewing…

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A white screen at one end and various chairs and seating arrangements were set up on the circumference of the room, where the models would sit for about one minute and then move over to the next chair, and would one by one pass in front of the white screen so that the photographers could get some great studio shot pictures of the clothing. As far as presentations go, this is the best idea I have seen yet.

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As for the designer, زهير مراد‎ , a Lebanese based artist (the Lebanese designers seem to be flocking to Paris fashion weeks these days), he certainly knows how to turn a woman into a goddess. He focuses on glamorous designs, haute couture, lavish creations and his work is pure luxury. With a boutique in Beirut, one in Paris and a showroom in Milan, and a list of Hollywood socialites and stars who wear his creations he’s fast become a red-carpet household name. It’s hard not to notice such extraordinary dresses that are fit for princesses.

The collection : ballet pinks and blacks with lace and chiffon and light airy creations, glamorous and stunning, with attention to the textures of fabrics, how the light plays on them, as well as deep plunging neck-lines and back-lines, long gowns and mini dresses that reveal almost the entire leg, lace that suggests not-so-discreetly the skin beneath… all with a silhouette that brings us back to what real stars used to look like, the Marylins, the Elizabeths, the Grace Kellys who had bodies worth dressing up. Enough with the waify baggy look, and more of this real lady look!

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Model : Kelsey Close

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Model : Kelsey Close

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Model : Kelsey Close

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Model : Kelsey Close

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Kelsey Close – Closeup

Prete Moi Paris, Melissa Ladd

Photo : Prête-Moi Paris

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Kelsey Close : Met modeling at the Zahair Murad presentation today in Paris’ 8th arrondissement for the AW1112 Paris fashion week, she stood out not only because she was wearing the most eye-catching gown of the collection, but because she has a simmering stare and a Betty Draper look (if Betty Draper were about 21). Somebody put her on the cover of Vogue please!
The belle from Alaska. An all-American girl who lives in NYC (but loves Paris!)

Kelsey Close by Brandon Taelor Aviram

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Here she is the following season walking for Issey Miyake :

Kelsey Close in Issey Miyake SS2012 – Photo : Style.com

Prete Moi Paris, Melissa Ladd

Kelsey Close, Issey Miyake SS2012

Check out this video of Kelsey from ROPA (Douglas Reker S/S 2012) by JiWon Shin from JiWon Shin on Vimeo

ROPA (Douglas Reker S/S 2012) by JiWon Shin from JiWon Shin on Vimeo.

UPDATE :

As of the Summer of 2012, Kelsey has joined the modeling agency IMG. I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of work they are going to promote her into. I have been able to get to know her over the past several fashion week seasons, and have discovered a very down-to-earth young woman who has an open mind and is extremely kind hearted.