Costume Designers
Pro costume designers drawing on Saudi Arabia's ancient Nabataean heritage and the Kingdom's emerging film production industry.
Here is how this works in practice. A costume designer creates the clothing and accessories worn by cast members, using wardrobe to communicate character, era, social status, and narrative arc. In Saudi Arabia, costume designers work with the Kingdom's rich textile heritage — from traditional thobe and bisht craftsmanship and the ornate bridal dress traditions of the Hejaz to the modern fashion emerging in Riyadh's Boulevard and Jeddah's historic Al Balad district.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with Saudi-based costume designers who bring both artistic vision and practical production expertise to each project. Our network has pros with access to NEOM Studios and Jax Film Studios' wardrobe facilities, Riyadh's growing fashion scene, traditional textile artisans, and the shoot teams working on the Kingdom's fast expanding film industry.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Costume Services
From concept sketches through final wrap, our costume designers deliver wardrobes that bring your characters to life.
01
Costume Design
- Character analysis
- Period research
- Sketch & rendering
- Color coordination
- Story arc wardrobe
Creative Vision
02
Construction
- Custom fabrication
- Pattern making
- Tailoring & fitting
- Aging & distressing
- Specialty pieces
Expert Craftsmanship
03
Sourcing
- Costume house rentals
- Vintage acquisition
- Contemporary shopping
- Accessory coordination
- Multiples management
Resource Access
04
Department Management
- Team coordination
- Budget tracking
- Continuity supervision
- Quick changes
- Background wardrobe
On-Set Leadership
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Costume Designers
01.
Arabian Textile & Craft Heritage
Access to Saudi Arabia's rich costume traditions, from hand-woven bisht cloaks and traditional Hejazi bridal dress to Najdi embroidery patterns and the emerging Saudi modern fashion scene.
02.
International Production Experience
Costume pros skilled on shoots at NEOM Studios, Jax Film Studios, and across Saudi Arabia's dramatic landscapes. With sensitivity to cultural protocols and the Kingdom's 40% production rebates.
03.
Saudi Fashion & Souk Connections
Relationships with NEOM and Jax Studios' wardrobe departments, Jeddah's Al Balad textile artisans, Riyadh's growing fashion district, and traditional Saudi tailors and embroiderers.
04.
Nabataean & Islamic Period Expertise
Pros in Nabataean-era costume, early Islamic fashion, Ottoman-influenced Hejazi dress, and traditional Bedouin wardrobe. With strict cultural sensitivity and knowledge of Saudi heritage protocols.
On Location
Saudi costume from Ashi Studio haute couture to Bedouin Najdi / Hejazi / Asiri heritage wardrobe
Our Saudi costume designers work the full range. At the top end is Mohammed Ashi (Ashi Studio, Riyadh-Paris haute couture, Chambre Syndicale member — he has dressed Beyoncé and Cardi B). Honayda Serafi is another key atelier.
At the heritage end, we curate Bedouin-tribal wardrobe libraries by region. These cover Najdi (Riyadh region), Hejazi (Jeddah and coastal), Tihama, Asiri (southern highlands), and Hasawi (eastern Al-Ahsa) dress.
Here is how this works in practice. The classic thobe and ghutra (white-checkered shemagh or red-checkered) with agal for men. The abaya with regional hijab and niqab variants for women, form the period and today's backbone. We source through Riyadh Boulevard, Diriyah's JAX District, Riyadh Fashion Week (launched 2023) collaborations, and the Honayda Serafi atelier.
Here is the short of it. Recent global work shows the range. Kandahar (Gerard Butler, 2023, AlUla and NEOM), Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie, 2024, AlUla, dir. Rupert Wyatt). Born a King (2019) all sourced period Hejazi merchant, Bedouin tribal, and today's Saudi military and state wardrobe through our network. Manga Productions in Riyadh also runs distinct character-design pipelines with Toei Animation partner credits like Future Folktales and Saud Rises.
Here is the breakdown. Modest dress compliance is the load-bearing constraint for domestic broadcast. MBC and Saudi Broadcasting Corporation outputs need no skin exposure for female on-camera talent. Designers manage this through abaya layering and careful sleeve and neckline construction.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Saudi National Day (Sept 23) and Founding Day (Feb 22) drive heavy heritage commercial workloads. Religious site dress codes for Mecca and Medina off-limits zones also apply — no non-Muslim crew within the Haram. Hajj broadcast only via accredited Muslim TV networks.
Fitting schedules account for the five daily prayer pauses. Ramadan iftar-to-suhoor (9pm-2am) is the peak production window. From June to September, 45-50°C heat makes lightweight breathable fabric required for talent and background.
Here is how the picture comes as one. Compliance routes through several authorities. GCAM (General Commission for Audiovisual Media) handles type. The Ministry of Culture heritage authority covers period shoots. GOSI payroll sign-ups and 15% VAT apply. Saudization Nitaqat quotas for Saudi-national workroom hires drive a 5% rebates uplift on the Cultural Development Fund's 40% cash rebates.
ACT 03
FAQ
Costume Design Expertise
What services does a costume designer provide?
Here is the breakdown. The costume designer creates the look for each character through clothing, working from script analysis through final wrap. This has research, sketching designs, sourcing or creating costumes, overseeing fittings, and supervising the costume department on set.
Can you handle period productions?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Yes, our costume designers specialize in period work covering Nabataean, early Islamic, Ottoman-era, and traditional Saudi styles. We set up with Film AlUla. The Saudi Film Commission for heritage site costume needs and work with traditional textile artisans.
How do you handle background costumes?
We give full background wardrobe services including sourcing, fitting, and on-set management. Our team sets up large crowd scenes with appropriate period or modern dress.
What about specialty costumes like stunts or effects?
We work closely with stunt and VFX departments on specialty needs—creating multiples for action sequences, building costumes for wire work, and constructing pieces that accommodate practical effects.
Do you provide the full costume department?
Yes, we can staff your entire costume department from designer through set costumers. This has supervisors, buyers, cutters, stitchers, and truck costumers as needed for your production scale.
How far in advance should we book?
For features needing major construction, book 8-12 weeks before prep. Standard shoots need 4-6 weeks. Commercials can at times work with shorter timelines based on complexity.
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ACT 04 — On Set
Need a Costume Designer?
Tell us about your production's wardrobe needs and we'll connect you with pro costume designers.