Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Ashi Studio, has made history by becoming the first couturier from the Gulf Region to be invited as a guest member to the prestigious Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, the governing body of French fashion. He will present his Spring/Summer 2023 collection on the official Paris Haute Couture Week calendar on July 6.
What Does This Invitation Mean?
The invitation to join the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as a guest member is a recognition of Ashi's creativity and craftsmanship, as well as his contribution to the art of haute couture, which is the highest form of fashion and design. Haute couture is a legally protected term in France, and only a selected group of fashion houses can use it to describe their collections, which are made by hand with exquisite fabrics and embellishments for an exclusive clientele.
The Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode invites guest members every season to showcase their work alongside the permanent members, who include Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, and Valentino. Guest members are chosen based on their artistic vision, technical skills, and innovative savoir-faire. Some of the guest members who have gone on to become permanent members are Giambattista Valli, Schiaparelli, and Iris van Herpen.
Who Is Mohammed Ashi?
Mohammed Ashi is a Saudi Arabian designer who launched his couture house Ashi Studio in 2006 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He moved his atelier to Paris in 2018, where he continues to create his sculptural and ethereal designs that are inspired by architecture, art, and nature. He is known for his use of monochrome colors, voluminous shapes, intricate embroidery, and dramatic silhouettes.
Ashi has dressed many celebrities and royals, such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Queen Rania of Jordan, Penelope Cruz, Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Diane Kruger. His works has been featured in international publications such as Vogue Arabia, Herper's Bazaar Arabia, Elle Arabia, and L'Official Arabia. He has also collaborated with photographers such as Peter Lindbergh, Luigi Iango, Txema Yeste, and Satoshi Saikusa.
What Can We Expect From His Collection?
Ashi has not revealed much about his upcoming collection for Paris Haute Couture Week, but he has hinted that it will be a return to his roots and a celebration of his maximalist impulses. He also shared some images of his mood board on his Instagram account, which show references to natural rock formations, volcanic crystals, crushed stones, pearl charms, and shredded organzas.
According to Vogue Arabia's collection will represent "a return to roots for the brand, seizing the moment to delve deep into its maximal impulses while maintaining the pure lines of its amplified silhouettes". The collection will also feature "texture composed of shredded organzas and wisps of frayed mohair; volcanic crystal appliques and crushed stones with dangling pearls charms in harmonious arrangements; figure-hugging outlines act as heroic body-armor; over-blown shapes mimic natural rock formations".
Conclusion
Ashi's invitation to the Paris Haute Couture Week Calendar as a guest member is a milestone for him and for the Gulf Region, as he becomes the first couturier from the area to receive this honor. His collection will showcase his artistic vision and craftsmanship, as well as his unique interpretation of haute couture. His show will take place on July 6 at 2:30 PM at Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
