He's turned tomboys into temptresses and pop stars into Golden Globe goddesses. At times he's the most popular man on the red carpet, yet nowhere in sight. His name is Zuhair Murad, and one could say his work is, quite literally, sheer magnificence.
"Fashion has always been a part of my life," the designer tells The Post. "While my classmates were drawing planes and trucks, I was sketching dresses and outfits."
That childhood passion led to design school in Paris, which led to the 1997 opening of an atelier in Beirut, not far from his hometown of Baalbek, Lebanon. A series of career highlights followed: his couture debut in 2001 at Paris Couture Week, the 2005 reveal of his first ready-to-wear collection and the opening of a showroom and boutique in Paris in 2007. It wasn't until four years ago, however, that he really made a splash stateside.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Murad designed Sofia Vergara's knockout gown for the 2012 Emmys.
Photos: The designer behind the dazzleMurad's work made a quiet, first-time appearance at the 2009 Golden Globes, with Jenna Fischer opting for his floral, Grecian-like design. But a few weeks later, a teen queen caused a fashion frenzy when she arrived at the Oscars in the luxurious label.
Known then as Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus chose an elaborate V-neck ball gown with a tiered and scalloped skirt for Hollywood's biggest night. The ornate frock hearkened Murad's signature aesthetic, which the designer describes as having "an emphasis on sumptuous fabrics, fitted silhouettes and ornamental details."
"One of the first major red-carpet moments in the US was Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Academy Awards," Murad, 41, admits.
"They're very glamorous, statement-making dresses, but in a very ethereal way," adds Susan Kaufman, editor of People StyleWatch. "If a celebrity is on the red carpet and really wants to have that 'Wow!' moment, they're going to get it with one of his dresses."
By 2011 he had scored a rare fashion feat in dressing two stars for the Golden Globes — Christina Aguilera in a black, curve-
hugging lace number, and Jennifer Lopez in a white gown and beaded capelet.
Lopez, who Murad outfitted for the 2010 Met Ball, has since become an unofficial muse of sorts. The pop star donned another Murad dress at last year's Academy Awards, later tapping him to design her 2012 world tour wardrobe. And while a J.Lo endorsement is enough to bolster any designer's career, a few high-profile red-carpet moments with Kristen Stewart didn't hurt either.
When the "Twilight" star stepped out in a see-through Murad design at the LA premiere of "Breaking Dawn Part 2" this past November, the look was as much a drastic departure from her usual dressed-down style as it was an introduction of his daring work to the younger, Twi-hard set.
"I absolutely loved it!" says Tara Swennen, Stewart's stylist, who was drawn to the gown's mix of elegance and provocative allure.
Though some critics found the dress a bit too revealing, such is the case with most sedutive designs.
"Everyone's going to have an opinion on everything that comes down the red carpet," Kaufman says, "and he's not a traditional fashion insider."
Neither are some of the women who wear his clothes. When the back of Sofia Vergara's beaded gown split at the 2012 Emmy Awards in September, the funny girl tweeted the tailoring mishap (and her partially exposed derriere!) for the world to see. Murad has since declined to comment on the wardrobe malfunction.
Even if no celebrities decide to wear his masterpieces at tonight's ceremony, the designer hopes lots more ladies — famous or not — will be spotted in his seams.
It's a (somewhat) feasible dream, too — depending on the size of your bank account. His ready-to-wear collection, which starts at $2,000, but can be as much as $10,000 depending on beadwork and materials, is available at US retail outlets such as Saks, Bergdorf's and Neiman Marcus.
"There are so many beautiful actresses and singers around the world," he says. "But if I could, I think I would love to dress every woman."
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