Mashael AlRajhi, 28 year old, is a Saudi designer who has built an atelier that has the artisan's value for perfection in an unlikely equilibrium with an artist's passion to create magic. After finishing a degree in Business Administration from King Saud University, she eventually embraced her love for the sartorial arts by acquiring a fashion design diploma from the Australian based Box Hill Institute through the Arts and Skills institute in Riyadh. Mashael immediately ventured into fashion design after graduating, creating Ready-to-Wear collections for men and women under the brand label: MASHAEL ALRAJHI.
A CONTEMPORARY LUXURY BRAND THAT MIXES MINIMALISM AND SOPHISTICATION TO CREATE EXPERIMENTAL CASUAL DESIGNS AND EVENING WEAR. THE BRAND TAKES PRIDE IN ITS MODERN OUTLOOK WHILE DRAWING KEY INSPIRATIONS FROM ITS ARABESQUE ROOTS.
How amazing is it to have such an ambitious designer coming out of our region? She's definitely a visionary who Saudis are proud to have.
RUH caught up with Mashael AlRajhi for a questionary where the designer opens more about herself. Q: In what age did your passion in being a designer begin? A: At a young age, I was already in love with fashion and creating. Designing was something I always wanted to do. Getting a diploma in fashion design simply solidified that desire into a career path. Q: How did you start your brand? A: 2013 was the pivotal year in which I used my business and fashion design education to launch my brand. Q: What according to you is your favourite part of being a fashion designer? A: My favourite part of being a designer is being able to portray such strong culture, personality and heritage into one piece, or collection. Q: At the beginning of establishing your brand, did you think you’ll reach to where you reached now. A: I have always been very sure of myself, and knew that I had the drive and passion to get to where I am now. Q: What skills according to you are necessary for a successful designer? A: I believe that a successful designer needs to be innovative and create pieces that are playful, provoking and conceptive in order to really catalyse the onlooker’s imagination. Q: What are the peaks and perks of being a designer and starting your own brand? A: The commercial part of my job is definitely a peak, I have to balance that side of the business with my desire to create. As a designer, I just want to focus on sketches and push myself creatively but the commercial side of what I do is just as important to work hard on. Q: What is the future for Mashael AlRahji? A: As a label, we have been making progress by infiltrating in to the global market. We want to have a presence in the major cities. We are currently participating in various events and competitions, both regionally and internationally. Q: Define yourself in one word. A: A Pioneer.
Click to view some of Mashael AlRajhi pieces.