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

Whimsical Worlds: Inside Florentina Leitner’s Enchanted Spring/Summer 2025 Collection

A Madonna of the Unicorn, one of the ethereal designs in the new collection by Florentina Leitner, shown in Paris. Main photograph above by Andrea Heinsohn.

Florentina Leitner's Spring/Summer 2025 collection is a homage to the enchanting world of The Last Unicorn. Inspired by the beloved 1982 animated film, the designer gave her runway a nostalgic ambiance combined with avant-garde flair. Her storytelling and sense of whimsy adds to the contrast of otherworldliness and contemporaneity in her work, writes Isabella Lancellotti. Photographs by Andrea Heinsohn

Fiery red symbolizing passion

and strength was a potent

motif in the collection

THE new collection by Florentina Leitner draws directly from the visual and emotional richness of The Last Unicorn, taking key moments from the unicorn’s journey as creative touchpoints. Leitner’s pieces are alive with the same ethereal charm and mystique, from the unicorn’s search for her lost kind to her transformative experiences as a human.  

These ideas are translated into the designs through an interesting use of materials: delicate lace and shimmering silks evoke a sense of fragility, while bold, screen-printed designs and laser-cut details echo the imagery of the Red Bull’s fiery menace.

Leitner’s use of unicorn-inspired prints, along with intricate 3D embellishments, immerses viewers in a world that is both mythological and contemporary, a world where fantasy is intertwined with high fashion. The designer's ability to weave a complex narrative into her creations is what sets her apart. 

Through her artful use of fabrics and forms, Leitner brings the film to life on the runway, capturing the dreamlike quality and the emotional depths of its story. “The Last Unicorn was a defining part of my childhood, and with this collection, I wanted to revive that sense of wonder and translate it into today’s fashion,” the designer explains. “It’s a dream to bring that magic back for a new generation while still honouring the film’s timeless beauty.” 

“The Last Unicorn was a defining part of my childhood, and with this collection, I wanted to revive that sense of wonder and translate it into today’s fashion.”

The Last Unicorn was the 

inspiration for the collection

Florentina Leitner’s collaboration with Peter S. Beagle’s team ensures ensured she had a real grasp of the story. Some pieces in the collection speak to the power of transformation and the quest for identity, much like the unicorn’s own journey. Diaphanous dresses contrast with more structured silhouettes, reflecting the duality of the character. the designer says. 

Bold dashes of color, inspired by the vivid animation of the original film, are strategically placed against softer, pastel hues to emphasize the tension between innocence and strength. 

Known for her signature floral motifs and feminine flourishes, Leitner’s collection is both playful and refined. Her expert craftsmanship is visible in details, with lightweight pieces that feel as though they could float off the runway.

The designer’s use of 3D flowers ~ a hallmark of her previous collections ~ is particularly striking in this offering, enhancing the fairy-tale allure while reinforcing the natural beauty central to the unicorn’s narrative. 

The result is a collection that is unmistakably Leitner: imaginative, daring, and rooted in an understanding of both fashion and storytelling. Since launching her eponymous brand in 2022, after graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Leitner has made a name for herself with her distinct blend of semi-couture craftsmanship, whimsical femininity, and artistic vision. 

Known for her signature floral motifs and feminine flourishes, Leitner’s collection is both playful and refined

Unicorns and quixotic headscarves

added to the sense of  otherworldliness

Based in Antwerp, her ready-to-wear collections are produced in small artisanal factories in Italy. Leitner’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection reaffirms her place as a designer to watch, offering not only clothes but her own, particular world view.

In a fashion landscape that often feels dominated by trends and fleeting moments, Florentina Leitner’s latest collection stands out for its connection to a beloved story and its commitment to savoir faire. 

The SS25 line invites us to rediscover the sense of wonder we felt as children and to incorporate that kind of forgotten "magic" as part of our modern identity. Through this collection, Florentina Leitner wants to make fashion a potent form of storytelling, one that allows us to explore the complexities of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going.

Scroll down to see more highlights from the collection in Paris