Mohammed Ashi, is a Saudi Arabian couturier and founder of Ashi Studio, made history in 2023 as the first designer from the Gulf region to join the Fédération de la Haute Couture in Paris as a guest member. After studying fashion design and patternmaking at Esmod and gaining professional experience at Givenchy, Ashi worked for Elie Saab before establishing his own brand. He launched Ashi Studio in Saudi Arabia in 2007, later moving it to France in 2018, where he garnered acclaim from royals and celebrities such as Beyoncé, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Rina Sawayama, and Billy Porter.
Ashi’s approach to couture is characterized by his mastery of volume and use of the most exclusive techniques, seeking harmony between contrasting baroque and minimalist elements. His distinctive style combines the ancient aesthetics of the Arabian Peninsula with the classical foundations of European couture, resulting in a contemporary expression of timeless elegance and a progressively fluid approach to gender. Recognized as a pioneer in Saudi Arabia, Ashi has significantly influenced the country’s fashion landscape during its cultural transformation. “His creative force has made an invaluable contribution to Saudi’s fashion zeitgeist as the country undergoes a cultural transformation,” said Burak Cakmak, chief executive officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission, in an interview with The Business of Fashion in 2023.