HM Queen Rania. Photo: The Royal Heshemite Court
Striking embroidery, dramatic shapes, bold colors as well as the subtle white and cream, and adept use of feathers — these are the unmistakable makings of an Ashi Studio creation. The couture label helmed by Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi has long been trusted by models and actors for when they wish to make a sartorial statement, and rightfully so. The couturier’s timeless designs are meticulously handcrafted using techniques and fabrics that make them nothing short of art.
Beirut-based Ashi Studio has found fans in HM Queen Rania of Jordan, A-list stars like artists Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Ciara; actors Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Deepika Padukone, Billy Porter, and Aishwarya Rai Bachan, with some even wearing the designer’s custom-made pieces on multiple occasions. Beyoncé is one of them, as the American hitmaker has worn two bespoke Ashi Studio creations for two significant moments in her career. The fuchsia custom-made gown she wore to the 2018 Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 concert made headlines, while the black hand-made embroidered piece with 70 hours of work behind it became one of the most talked-about ensembles in the singer’s Black Is King film.
An Ashi Studio gown was chosen for Cardi B when the rapper was honored by Spotify with a life-size sculpture at New York’s Brooklyn Museum. The Bronx-native has also shown her love for the designer’s work when she wore a daring number in her music video Money, and later when she walked the 2018 Grammy Awards’ red carpet in a custom-made dress featuring pleated ivory lace and butterfly sleeves. Other memorable red carpet moments courtesy of the Saudi designer include Indian actors Rai Bachan and Padukone wearing maximalist custom-made couture gowns to different editions of the Cannes Film Festival. Padukone later described the voluminous dress as the “most extravagant” outfit she had ever worn.
In celebration of the designer and Vogue Fashion Prize jury member, who stars on one of our special covers for December 2020, alongside Cindy Bruna, we take a look at his best celebrity looks.
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