Mediterranean Magic: Sara Mrad's Evocative Spring/Summer 2025 Collection in Paris

Designer Sara Mrad poses with her models in Paris in the gardens of the Maison de l'Amerique Latine,  after her SS25 show. Cover picture and photograph above by Elli Ioannou for DAM 

In the heart of Paris' 16th arrondissement, the Maison de l’Amérique Latine served as a fitting stage for designer Sara Mrad’s Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Hymn to the Harvest. This storied place, a centre of culture and diplomacy, echoed the collection’s themes of history, resilience, and feminine grace, writes Antonio Visconti. Photographs by Elli Ioannou & Anna Nguyen  

A glimmering, draped gown inspired by golden 

harvests and 16th century design, in the gardens 

of the Maison de l'Amerique Latine.

Photograph: Elli Ioannou

AGAINST a backdrop of 18th century architecture, Sara Mrad transformed the tall, gilt salons into a celebration of Mediterranean beauty. 

The choice of Maison de l’Amérique Latine as the venue for the Lebanese designer's latest collection was no coincidence. Founded in 1946 to celebrate the enduring ties between France and Latin America, the Maison has long been a crossroads for cultural exchange. 

Today, it occupies two historic mansions on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the Hôtel de Varengeville and the Hôtel Amelot de Gournay. These architectural gems, built in the early 1700s, are steeped in a legacy of elegance and art, a fitting complement to Mrad’s ethos of weaving past and present. 

 

This historical resonance amplified the themes of Hymn to the Harvest, a collection that marries the spirit of Mediterranean life with a contemporary sensibility. Just as the Maison de l’Amérique Latine was envisioned as a bridge between cultures, Mrad’s designs link the traditions of centuries past with our contemporary age. 

 "The Mediterranean is my muse," the designer explains. "It’s a region of abundance and beauty, but also one of resilience and strength. I wanted to capture that duality in this collection: the softness of nature alongside the fortitude of the women who nurture it." 

The themes of the new collectoion draw from the rich tapestry of Mediterranean life, specifically the resilience and beauty of 16th-century women. Sara Mrad’s designs are an ode to these women, who embodied strength and grace in the rhythms of their agrarian lives. Through a palette of sunlit golds, earthy greens, and deep berry tones, Mrad transports her audience to flourishing orchards and golden wheat fields. 

"The Mediterranean is my muse, a region of abundance, beauty and resilience. I wanted to capture that duality: the softness of nature alongside the fortitude of the women who nurture it" 

Diaphanous gowns entwined with

embellishments from Nature,

enhanced the Romantic motifs

Photograph: Elli Ioannou 

The collection features ethereal gowns in flowing silks and chiffons, accented by intricate embroidery and embellishments. Delicate braiding, floral motifs, and harvest-inspired symbols ~ from pomegranates to wheat stalks ~ lend a tactile richness to the garments.

These details, executed with Mrad’s trademark precision, evoke a sense of the nostalgic with a dash of avant-garde originality. The standout pieces include a golden silk dress adorned with hand-embroidered grapevine patterns, evoking the vineyards of the Mediterranean, and a deep green gown embellished with shimmering cherries and roses, a nod to the region’s lush orchards. 

Accessories play a crucial role, with woven belts, braided sandals, and jewelry crafted to resemble blooming vines and ripe fruit, further grounding the collection in its agrarian inspiration. 

Sara Mrad’s designs strike a delicate balance between softness and power. Flowing skirts and off-shoulder necklines emphasize femininity, while structured bodices and bold, asymmetric cuts convey strength. 

The silhouettes emphasize the female form without constraining it, embodying a feeling of freedom. Each garment is designed to tell a story: of those sun-drenched fields and the cycles of planting and harvest. The pieces are created to be more than just quotidian clothing; they are meant to be worn as a celebration.

The collection features ethereal gowns in flowing silks and chiffons, accented by intricate embroidery, delicate braiding, floral motifs and harvest-inspired symbols

Cherries and blooming flowers

evoked the collection's title of

a Hymn to the Harvest.

Photograph: Anna nguyen

The Maison de l’Amérique Latine provided a unique backdrop for the unveiling of Hymn to the Harvest. Its lush gardens, ornate ballrooms, and historic architecture offered a contrast to the modern luxury of Mrad’s designs. 

The juxtaposition of old and new, tradition and innovation, created a dialogue that was central to the collection’s ethos. 

 

The venue’s legacy as a place of cultural exchange and artistic expression mirrored Mrad’s own design philosophy. Just as the Maison celebrates the shared history and future of France and Latin America, Mrad’s collection bridges the past and present, paying homage to Mediterranean traditions while looking forward to today's global audience. 

 "Fashion is about more than just aesthetics," Mrad says. "It’s about telling stories, preserving traditions, and pushing boundaries. With this collection, I wanted to remind people of the fortitude of women throughout history, and to celebrate their role in the cycles of life." 

Sara Mrad, known for her meticulous craftsmanship and ability to weave history into her designs, has carved a niche for herself as a storyteller through fashion. With Hymn to the Harvest, Mrad further cements her reputation as a designer who creates richly-imagined and unique designs that enhance the female form for speical occasions. 

"Fashion is about more than just aesthetics: it’s about telling stories, preserving traditions, and pushing boundaries"

Fitted bodices and sweeping yet

lightly layered skirts added to the

otherworldly beauty of the show

The Paris runway show was a feast for the senses. Models walked the though the 18th century salons to the sound of traditional Mediterranean music blended with modern beats, embodying the collection’s fusion of old and new. The audience, an eclectic mix of fashion insiders and cultural luminaries, was captivated by the interplay of history and modernity. 

 

The applause that greeted the finale was a testament to the collection’s impact. It was a moment of triumph for Sara Mrad, who has proven once again that her designs are not just fashion, but a form of art. 

 

Sara Mrad’s Hymn to the Harvest is a celebration of life and nature. By choosing the Maison de l’Amérique Latine as her venue, Mrad underscored the importance of history and culture in her work. The result was a show that resonated deeply with the guests, reminding them of the beauty of tradition and the power of modern innovation. 

In a world that often rushes forward, forgetting the past, the designer invites us to pause and reflect. Through her designs, she proves that fashion can be both a mirror to history and a beacon for the future. 

Scroll down to see more highlights from Sara Mrad's Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph:Anna Nguyen 

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Elli Ioannou

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Elli Ioannou

Sara Mrad, Hymn to the Harvest, Spring/Summer 2025, Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris. Photograph: Elli Ioannou