Celebrating its 40th anniversary, London Fashion Week saw a return to its menswear format, hosting a number of brands in the second week of June. Among them was Qasimi, a London-based label with Middle Eastern heritage, marking a significant milestone with its first live show under Creative Director Hoor Al Qasimi, who assumed the role in 2020. The co-ed SS2025 collection seamlessly blends art, sculpture, and fashion through a collaboration with artist Kambui Olujimi, drawing inspiration from his “When Monuments Fall” series.
At the heart of Qasimi’s SS2025 collection is the concept of “spolia” – the integration of the old with the new, harmonizing historical influences with contemporary aesthetics. This theme is evident in the collection’s juxtaposition of classic and fluid shapes. The choice of textiles includes medium-weight silk twill, sheer cotton voile, and a luxurious silk-wool blend. Olujimi’s artworks are digitally printed on fabrics, and a marble-like pattern is applied with a granulated effect that evokes erosion and the passage of time.
Adding to the collection’s allure are the jewellery pieces by Freya Douglas Ferguson. There are playful earrings and necklaces reminiscent of underwater flora and fauna – these add an abstract and whimsical touch.
Eight clear trends appeared across the 27 looks in Qasimi’s SS2025 collection – keep reading to learn more. To see the looks in order, go to the collection here.
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Y2K is still trending, and brands are putting their own spin on the futuristic and techwear looks from the turn of the millenium. Cargo pockets on Look 11 are sewn on diagonally for a fresh take; hoodies and drawstrings in Looks 5 and 10 give a more streetwear and technical look.
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Qasimi takes inspiration from the “When Monuments Fall” series by New York-based visual artist Kambui Olujimi, and through a more unorthodox application, the printed fabric in Looks 4 and 26 appears to be falling off the wearer. In Looks 22 and 23, a greyish-purple marble-like pattern is printed with a granulated effect, evoking erosion, material breakdown and the passage of time.
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Rising high and with a futuristic feel, necklines across womenswear looks give a feeling of comfort and protection.
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Sharp angles on shoulders in Looks 6, 7, and 21 contrast with fluid shapes across the rest of the collection. Look 2 features a sharp trapeze silhouette.
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A fresh take on the paperbag waist, low waist trousers and culottes feature a waistline of bunched fabric resulting in a flowing and voluminous wide leg.
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Perfect for the summer, light layers superimpose sheer and weightless layers for a breezy look.
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Fabric round the neck and down the front in Look 14, along with diagonal wraps in Looks 12 and 16 resemble sashes while adding texture and flow.
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Jewellery by Freya Douglas Ferguson features throughout the collection – earrings and necklaces feature shapes reminiscent of underwater flora and fauna. For the final look, a model wears an abstract piece round the shoulders and chest.
Images provided by the brand.
London College of Fashion alumna (PGCert Fashion Buying & Merchandising). 15 years in fashion across styling, buying & merchandising, trend forecasting, e-commerce, and marketing. Includes roles at Vivienne Westwood and multi-brand retail stocking 50+ brands including Adidas, Nike, and Puma.
