Qasimi unveiled its Spring/Summer 2025 collection in a return to the runway. This marks the first live show under Hoor Al Qasimi’s creative direction, since she took the helm in 2020. Teaming up with acclaimed artist Kambui Olujimi, Qasimi has crafted a collection that merges art, sculpture, and fashion, delving into profound themes of identity, history, and sociopolitics. Reflecting on the collaboration, Al Qasimi said, “Our work with Olujimi allowed us to delve deep into these themes, aligning perfectly with Qasimi’s ethos of cultural dialogue and storytelling.”
This partnership has been instrumental in shaping the collection, drawing significant inspiration from Olujimi’s impactful “When Monuments Fall” series. This body of work explores the recontextualisation of monuments, their societal roles, and the dynamics of power they represent. The design team, led by Al Qasimi, proposed new narratives through the reinterpretation of shapes and forms. A central concept in the collection is “spolia,” which involves integrating elements from older structures into new designs. This approach effectively recontextualises Qasimi’s identity, merging past influences with contemporary aesthetics.
The garments reflect this concept through a blend of fluid and structured silhouettes, symbolising the ever-changing nature of monuments. Key fabrics used in the collection include medium-weight silk twill, sheer cotton voile, and a luxurious silk-wool blend. Techniques such as digital printing, image granulation, and fading are employed to evoke the passage of time and the shifting significance of the original artworks. Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Olujimi remarked, “I was thrilled to work with Qasimi because of their history of international collaborations and their eagerness for experimentation.”
Taking place at Wapping Power Station, the show will present a collection that highlights the interplay between Qasimi’s visual identity and Olujimi’s works, continuing Qasimi’s long standing relationship with the arts.
