Yousef Akbar celebrates ‘power of women’ through SS24 presentation at Riyadh Fashion Week

Yousef Akbar celebrates ‘power of women’ through SS24 presentation at Riyadh Fashion Week

RIYADH: The poignant eveningwear of Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi served as the inaugural Riyadh Fashion Week’s opening act last night. Dozens of elegantly clad Saudi men and women, celebrities and members of the press met inside a temporary rectangular structure in front of the King Fahd National Library last night to witness Ashi’s latest collection, 8pm. The show, marking the designer’s first in his hometown, serves as a celebration of his Saudi heritage and the cosmopolitan glamor of Riyadh.

Known for his romantic and geometric, often highly sculpted looks, Ashi revealed evening wear inspired by the beauty of the desert at night. Models strutted down the runway — formed in a square format around a dramatic installation comprising what appeared to be several large gray rocks — donning long robes, dresses and pant suits enhanced with large, elaborate sculpted puff sleeves, long fringe in various materials to signify movement and ball gowns with embellished trails.

Look 1. (Supplied)

Ashi’s meticulous handcrafted designs reigned supreme as the models showcased designs that effortlessly married traditional local looks with more avant-garde contemporary statement pieces. Graceful, yet bold shapes synonymous with the gentle curves of the sand dunes could be found throughout the collection.

Nods to the abaya