Son of UAE ruler and fashion designer Khalid al Qasimi dies in London

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jul 3, 2019

Khalid al Qasimi, a crown prince from the United Arab Emirates and a fashion designer, has died at his home in London aged 39.

Qasimi, his fashion label, confirmed the news with a statement posted on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday. He founded his eponymous brand after studying architecture and fashion design at Central Saint Martins, and the first collection debuted in 2008.

“It is with great sadness that we report that Khalid al Qasimi has unexpectedly passed away on 1st July 2019,” the brand, which has shown at London Fashion Week Men’s and Paris Fashion Week Men’s, said. 

“Khalid was praised for his tenacious yet sensitive exploration of social-political issues, particularly pertaining to the Middle East and its sometimes strained relationship with the West, a subject very close to his heart and upbringing. His goal was to create 'a world of beautifully crafted products infused with cultural, social and political undertones to inform and inspire.”

“The design world has lost a great philosopher and artist.”

Khalid al Qasimi's father Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasim, ruler of Sharjah - the third biggest city in the United Arab Emirates - announced a three day mourning ceremony, with flags in the country ordered to fly half-mast.

The Metropolitan Police said Qasim’s death was being treated as "unexplained". A post-mortem examination carried out on Tuesday 2 July proved inconclusive.