Saudi Arabia's Ashi Studio set to unveil cabin crew uniforms for new Riyadh Air airline

Mohammed Ashi's fashion label will reveal design during Paris Haute Couture Week in June

Mohammed Ashi is the founder and creative director of Saudi label Ashi Studio. Photo: Riyadh Air

Celebrated Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi will design cabin crew uniforms for the kingdom's new airline, Riyadh Air, which is set to take off next year.

The uniforms will be unveiled during Paris Haute Couture Week in June, and will feature the carrier's dual-livery design, which is inspired by the twisting canopies of traditional Bedouin tents and curves of Arabic calligraphy.

Ashi, who founded his Ashi Studio label in 2006, became the first designer from the GCC to be invited to join the prestigious Federation de la Haute Couture last year. He showcased his first official haute couture collection in Paris soon after.

A highly coveted grading, haute couture is a term that can only be bestowed by governing body Federation de la Haute Couture, and being invited to join its ranks is considered the highest possible accolade for a fashion house.

Ashi also became the first designer from the Gulf to be included in the BoF 500 list – the Business of Fashion’s index of the people shaping the fashion industry in 2023.

Riyadh Air is set to take off for its maiden flight in 2025. Photo: Riyadh Air

“The airline will play an important role in the future of Saudi Arabia by making Riyadh one of the world’s key destinations,” Ashi said. “I am delighted to be part of a project so significant for our nation.

“It’s an exciting time to be in Saudi Arabia and to witness another Saudi brand going global. I am looking forward to sharing the cabin crew fashion line with the world and to seeing the Riyadh Air team wearing my creations when it takes its maiden flight in 2025.”

Ashi spent his early years mastering his craft in the US working for international couture houses before settling in Paris, where he opened his studio in 2018.

Today, his label is known for its sophisticated evening and bridal wear infused with skilful structuring, with a flair for creating boldly elegant looks. He has since dressed many of the world's leading ladies, including Queen Rania of Jordan, Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Lady Gaga.

Most recently, he created a custom gown for Jordan's Princess Iman to wear at the wedding of her brother, Crown Prince Hussein.

Launched in March last year, Riyadh Air is the newest airline in the Middle East and the second national carrier in Saudi Arabia after Saudia.

• 

  Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi made his debut on the official roster of Paris Haute Couture Week with his label Ashi Studio. All photos: AFP

• 

  Ashi, who founded his label in Beirut in 2006, opened a studio in Paris in 2018

• 

  While he has shown on the sidelines of the haute couture week, this is the first time he's been included in the official roster of the event

• 

  Only those recognised by the Federation de la Haute Couture can claim to produce haute couture collections, and must meet a host of criteria. Being invited to join its ranks is considered the highest possible accolade for a fashion house

• 

  This is the first time Ashi has been invited to join the prestigious Federation de la Haute Couture, the governing body for the French fashion industry, as a guest member, thus earning him a spot on the haute couture calendar

• 

  Ashi Studio is the first label from the GCC to receive this honour

• 

  His dramatic autumn/winter 2023 show, at the Jean-Jacques Henner museum, featured his signature structural and geometric flair in a range of materials

• 

  A model presents a creation by Ashi Studio

• 

  The elegant collection also comprised of bold looks in the form of fabrics and cuts that left little to the imagination

• 

  Ashi honed his craft working with Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy and then as creative director at Elie Saab, before founding his label in Beirut in 2006

• 

  Known for his sophisticated evening and bridal wear infused with skilful structuring, Ashi's flair for creating boldly elegant looks have made him one of the most sought-after designers in the Gulf

• 

  He has dressed many of the world's leading ladies including Queen Rania of Jordan, Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Lady Gaga

• 

  Models present creations by Ashi Studio during Paris Haute Couture week

• 

  Ashi joins Lebanese designers Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and Georges Hobeika on the haute couture calendar

• 

  A model presents a creation by Ashi Studio at the Jean-Jacques Henner museum in Paris

• 

  Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi started his label in Beirut in 2006

• 

  Fashion designer Mohammed Ashi