Khalid Al Qasimi, founder and creative director of eponymous fashion label, Qasimi, passed away on Monday at the age of 39. The fashion designer died in London, leaving behind an army of admirers, supporters and friends who hailed his talents as a designer.
Al Qasimi, born Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasim is the son of His Highness, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.
In 1980 the crown prince moved to the U.K at the age of nine and went on to study architecture and fashion design at Central Saint Martins. In 2008 alongside designer Elliott James Frieze, he launched Qasimi and has been showing menswear and womenswear in London (and briefly in Paris) since then.
At the brand’s latest showing in London, the Arab fashion designer presented an elemental collection. With 2020 marking ten years since the label began offering menswear, the pieces were monochromatic and minimalistic.
For all the years he worked as a designer, Al Qasimi’s creative offering consistently echoed Arab inspirations, exploring the idea of the nomad. In January, for AW19, he made clothing that transported this nomad to an imagined utopia. In June, for SS20 he continued this theme, this time around with clothing that was lighter, freer and exuding a certain ease.
The Emirate royal leaves behind his parents and four sisters, including his twin sister Sheika Hoor Al-Qasimi.
