Bringing Beyond the Dunes to Riyadh feels like returning
home
Between Riyadh and New York, RBA continues to blur the lines between roots and urban rhythm . For her latest collection Beyond the Dunes, the designer Rakhaa Binahmed translates the fluidity of sand into modular silhouettes that move with the body and the moment. Rooted in the textures of Saudi landscapes yet sharpened by a cosmopolitan edge, RBA’s vision expands the language of unisex couture — where adaptability, sustainability, and authenticity flow seamlessly together.
For KHAMSA,, we sat down to talk about how Beyond the Dunes bridges tradition and modernity — through a vision of couture that belongs everywhere at once.
All images are courtesy of RBA NewYork
١. You’re based between Saudi and New York; how do those two energies pull this collection in different directions?
Saudi inspires me through its incredible contrasts — the desert, the sea, and the mountains
each carry their own spirit, textures, and colors. New York, on the other hand, pushes me to
translate those inspirations into bold, versatile silhouettes that work in a fast, global city.
Beyond the Dunes lives between those two worlds: rooted in the landscapes of Saudi, but sharpened
with an urban, international edge
٢. Give us three concrete sustainability choices behind this show (fabric, dye, make, logistics) you’d love other brands to copy.
- Natural fabrics: I worked primarily with linen and cotton, which age beautifully and are biodegradable.
- Zero-waste design: Any fabric is not discarded — it’s re-utilized as decorative
elements in the garments, giving each piece added texture and story while eliminating waste. - Modular designs: Many pieces are convertible or unisex, encouraging longevity and fewer single-use garments.
٣. Unisex couture, practically: how did you cut and grade for different bodies while keeping one clean design language?
I designed around the idea of adaptability. Adjustable waists, wrap closures, and modular
layers allow garments to fit a variety of body shapes while keeping a cohesive line. The
language stays clean and minimal — but the wearer makes it their own through how they tie,
layer, or style the look.
٤. You’ve shown with Saudi 100 in Milan and Paris. What did those stages teach you about telling a Saudi story before bringing it home to Riyadh?
Showing in Milan and Paris proved that the Saudi story doesn’t need translation — it’s
understood through its spirit, textures, and energy. Those global stages taught me that
authenticity resonates universally. Now bringing Beyond the Dunes to Riyadh feels like returning
home, where the story was born, and sharing it with the community that inspired it.
٥. RBA is known for textured linen and long, easy lines. What’s the one signature you’re pushing further here, and what must stay unmistakably RBA?
The unmistakable RBA is the effortless movement — clothes that feel free, bold, and
textured. What I’m pushing further is the modularity: pieces that shift from day to night, from
men’s to women’s, from Riyadh to New York. That sense of freedom and adaptability, while
staying true to texture and line, is at the heart of RBA.
