Zuhair Murad is the latest Lebanese designer to pull out of Paris Haute Couture Week

The label follows in the footsteps of Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika

In 2020, Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad designed a line of T-shirts in the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion. Instagram / zuhairmuradofficial

Following in the footsteps of fellow Lebanese designers Elie Saab and Georges Hobeika, Zuhair Murad has announced it will not present its spring / summer 2021 collection at Paris Haute Couture Week.

Just two days before its scheduled presentation at the world’s most prestigious fashion event, the label announced it would postpone the showcase to a “near and peaceful future”.

“In light of the devastation caused by the pandemic and the drastic restrictions taken worldwide, the safety of our community and especially the well-being of our employees, who have participated in spreading beauty through various collections, remains our top priority,” a statement posted to the house’s Instagram page read.

“Therefore, Zuhair Murad has taken the decision to postpone the January 27 showcase of its couture spring / summer 2021 collection.

“We thank you for your kindness, support and understanding as we look forward to scheduling the show in a near and peaceful future.”

It comes a day after Georges Hobeika, who was due to present its latest haute couture creations at Paris Haute Couture Week's pared-back event on Monday, announced a similar delay.

“As the pandemic remains strong, health restrictions are being put in place around the world: they are needed to help healthcare workers and researchers that save precious lives,” a statement posted on Instagram read.

The label added it would announce a new presentation date, in "more serene and happier times", on social media.

Saab was the first to pull out of the event, with the brand’s chief executive, Elie Saab Jr, revealing last week that although the collection is ready, a decision had been made to postpone its presentation until conditions in Lebanon had improved.

"The haute couture collection is ready, but there's the whole shooting logistic, which is quite complicated. We decided to take a small break and wait for the right time to shoot it and to present it to the public," he said, speaking to WWD.

"What we've seen in recent weeks in Lebanon is an important escalation of cases and an important scarcity in hospital beds and hospital tools such as respirators. Things are really getting out of control, so we have to be cautious, we have to be responsible," Saab Jr said.

Paris Haute Couture Week runs from Monday, January 25 to Thursday, January 28 , and is scheduled to feature presentations from the likes of Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Viktor & Rolf, and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

However, the presentations will be digital as pandemic restrictions mean that events cannot go ahead as usual.