Rami Al Ali presented his Fall Winter 2025.26 couture collection, Guardians of Light – The Living Craft of Damascus, during Paris Haute Couture Week. The designer marked his official debut on the calendar of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, using the opportunity to create a collection deeply tied to his roots. Drawing on Syria’s architectural legacy and craft traditions, Al Ali crafted a body of work that looks to the past through a personal and artistic lens.
The collection builds its visual language from historic sites in Old Damascus. Inspirations include the carved woodwork of Al-Azm Palace, the geometric rigor of Khan As’ad Pasha, and the tiled serenity of Jami’ al-Darwishiyya. Residential landmarks like Bayt Nizam and Bayt Farhi also influenced the atmosphere of the collection, all places once animated by the skill of artisans working in calligraphy, metalwork, and textiles.
Inside the atelier, Al Ali translated these references into couture garments. Gowns shimmer with brocade and embroidery, while sequins mimic the appearance of Iznik tiles. The symmetry of mother-of-pearl inlay finds an echo in beaded patterns. These elements form sculptural yet fluid silhouettes, with veils and gowns constructed to feel both ceremonial and intimate. Each look is structured as a vessel for storytelling, with technique used in service of remembrance.
Al Ali collaborated with the Syrian Crafts Council to bring historical authenticity to the collection. The Council provided verified designs and motifs, grounding the garments in real heritage while shaping them for a present-day couture vocabulary. This partnership helped tie the pieces directly to the craftspeople and traditions they honor, ensuring a connection to cultural knowledge that extends beyond aesthetics.
Color plays an important role in defining the tone of the collection. The palette references the light of Damascus at twilight: plum, faded rose, alabaster, lapis, antique gold, and silver. These hues shift under different textures, adding visual depth while reinforcing the themes of transformation and recollection. The cuts range from sculptural to fluid.
Al Ali uses couture to give form to places and practices that risk fading into history. Through this collection, he honors his origins, defining his role as both designer and guardian of craft.
