There are designers who dress women. And then there are those who sublimate, magnify, and crown them. It goes without saying that Ziad Nakad belongs firmly to the latter category. From Beirut to the red carpets of Cannes and the Parisian runways, this Lebanese designer embodies, with rare grace, the meeting point between Levantine opulence and French artisanal rigor.
A Vocation Born in Beirut
It all began in Beirut. From his teenage years, Ziad Nakad was already sketching and crafting pieces for his family. What started as an intimate passion quickly became a vocation. He learned the craft on the ground, working alongside local designers in a city that, despite its challenges, has always preserved an exceptional level of artisanal expertise.
He founded his eponymous house in 1997 and immediately participated in the Beirut International Fashion Show for Couture, dressing icons such as Karen Mulder, Nadja Auermann, and Jennifer Driver. This « baptism by fire » launched a meteoric trajectory.
Since then, Ziad Nakad has never stopped expanding his horizons. Milan in 2001, Cannes in 2003, Paris Haute Couture Week in 2017, and landmark collections like « Pantheon » (2024) or « Majesty » (2026), presented at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Each step is envisioned as a cinematic act.
An Unmistakable Aesthetic
The Ziad Nakad style is distinguished by its architectural sense. Sculptural sleeves, defined waistlines, and controlled play on volumes: his gowns are instantly recognizable. He excels in contrast—the fluidity of tulle against the density of embroidery, transparency meeting opulence—to create silhouettes that are both theatrical and sophisticated.
His embroideries, handcrafted in Beirut, are among the most beautiful on the scene today. Beads, crystals, and 3D flowers: the attention to detail is obsessive.
Collections That Radiate and Transport Us
Each collection carries a powerful narrative. « Pantheon » pays homage to Parisian architecture, « Majesty » celebrates royal elegance at Vaux-le-Vicomte, and « KANZ » (« treasure » in Arabic) explores heritage and memory. His bridal gowns, particularly sought after, combine romance with high-level sophistication.
On the Cannes red carpets and at major international ceremonies, his creations stand out for their power and elegance—a fact well understood by the stars. Hina Khan, Victoria Silvstedt, Maeva Coucke, Lady Victoria Hervey, and Victoria Bonya have all worn his designs on the steps of Cannes, at the NAACP Image Awards, or the SAG Awards. Each appearance reinforces the image of the « Ziad Nakad Woman »: bold, glamorous, and confident.
The business model follows suit. Bespoke Haute Couture, exceptional Bridal wear, luxury Ready-to-Wear, accessories… The house knows how to diversify without ever betraying its artisanal standards. Its online boutique and Instagram community (over 1.3 million followers) allow for a direct connection with the world, while maintaining a strong anchor in Beirut, where the embroideries are born.
A Critical Look
Does Ziad Nakad’s couture reflect a vision truly unique to its creator, or does it extend a certain idea of oriental glamour, inherited and magnified?
Do his silhouettes express an embodied desire? Or do they stem from an idealized, almost fantasized, projection of the female body?
The designer’s position deserves to be examined. Between the radiant sensuality of Elie Saab and the theatrical romanticism of Zuhair Murad, Ziad Nakad forges an almost architectural singularity.
It is precisely in this space of tension, between heritage and reinvention, that his couture takes on its full dimension. For it is here that a critical eye extends the wonder, and finally allows us to interpret what we contemplate.
Conclusion
At THE EIGHTH ART, we see him as much more than a talented designer: he is a true artist whose work elevates fashion to the rank of a major art form. His ability to magnify women, season after season, with rare consistency and extraordinary artisanal standards, makes him one of the most precious and inspiring designers of his generation.
Ziad Nakad doesn’t just dress women. He crowns them.
Discover the world of Ziad Nakad at ziadnakad.com and follow his upcoming creations on our website.
CHIKH Larbi
Haute Couture: THE EIGHTH ART
Cover photo: © CHIKH Larbi – Paris, 2025 – Translated from the original French version published on LE HUITIÈME ART.
