Ashi Studio Fall 2026 Couture
For Fall 2026 Couture, Ashi Studio continued its exploration of fantasy, taking its Victorian-inspired heroine into a darker and more mysterious world.
Presented during Paris Couture Week, the collection marked the 20th anniversary of the Saudi couture house. Designer Mohammed Ashi looked to the atmosphere of “Wuthering Heights” and the surrealist imagination of Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild’s legendary 1972 Surrealist Ball as inspiration, creating a collection that blurred the line between history, fantasy and couture.
The runway unfolded like a gothic fairy tale, populated by characters dressed in dramatic silhouettes and intricate details. Sculpted minidresses, corseted gowns and structured jackets referenced Victorian dressing while introducing unexpected elements that felt otherworldly.
A silk faille jacket dress was decorated with wine flagons created from 3D-printed metal elements and opaline glass, while a sequined sheath gown featured a delicate fawn motif with small antler-like details extending from the shoulders. Another look evoked the image of a young Miss Havisham, with an Elizabethan collar, corseted waist and a chiffon-covered parasol trailing behind.
Materials played an important role in Ashi’s storytelling. The designer incorporated unusual elements including hand-painted and embellished lobster shells and mussels, alongside a feather-like texture created from pampa grass wrapped in shredded chiffon. He also worked with washed 19th-century handwoven Italian textiles sourced in Florence, bringing historical materials into a contemporary couture context.
Although the collection embraced fantasy, Ashi’s approach remained rooted in craftsmanship and emotion. Rather than focusing solely on novelty, the designer explored how both old and new materials can carry meaning and create a connection with the wearer.
For Fall 2026 Couture, Ashi Studio celebrated two decades of design through a world where romance, darkness and imagination coexist — a reminder of couture’s ability to create stories beyond everyday clothing.
