Kingdom Becomes Queendom: Khaled and Marwan Maison De Couture

Beirut-based fashion house Khaled and Marwan Maison De Couture has been busy since its Spring/Summer 2025 collections, “The Muse” and "Amara," for Paris Haute Couture Week Spring 2026. The partners worked ahead of France’s Federation of Haute Couture and Style calendar in releasing their “Kesh Malek” collection two months ahead of other participating designers.

This virtual unveiling was a means to accelerate the brand’s presence beyond the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) market. The fashion house revealed its “Kesh Malek” collection on Instagram via a fashion show, and the unveiling combined elements of a real-life and digital showcase, where human models strutted against a chessboard dressed in the collection’s garments. The fashion house revealed the collection on Instagram via a fashion show, and the unveiling combined elements of a real-life and digital showcase, where human models strutted against a chessboard dressed in the collection’s garments.

The term “kesh malek” refers to the Arabic, Persian, and Turkish translations of “checkmate.” “Kesh” means to win an object during the game, while “malek” means king. It is intended to symbolize the everyday woman as the “queen” overcoming her struggles against the patriarchy—which she is able to accomplish while wearing an over-skirted ball gown or multicolored crystal-bejeweled tulle dress.

The collection is designed to make women look and feel powerful. The women representing this collection symbolize strength and composure, giving the impression of beating the odds while being dressed in a victory-ready attitude. The audience even notices a model posing confidently in a one-sleeved, black-caped beaded gown. And that is because “checkmate” isn’t the end. It’s the moment she realizes she owns the game,” according to an Instagram statement by the brand’s account @khalenandmarwan

The designers also leveraged new techniques to produce this collection, including “intricate 3D laser-cut embroidery, most prominently featured on the bridal veil.” Rania Darwish, the former public relations ambassador, mentioned that they even tapped into ombre dyeing, advanced fabric-merging methods, and textural contrasts that resembled the pre-modern European codes of Kesh Malek.

In addition to the medieval accents of the couture collection, the back of the bridal veil features two birds, giving a baroque touch. But Kesh Malek also features geometric boleros with exaggerated shoulders and the use of unique adornments, exactly resembling a queen from the Middle Ages. In fact, the most eye-catching silhouette is that of the voluminous crepe, gold leather bolero embellished with floral sequins, fit for Queen Elizabeth of York (1466-1503).

On the brand’s Instagram account, a post by Ruzi Royal Fashion (@royal.fashionillusion) comments that it is an “absolute masterpiece! The intricate embroidery and bold gold accents create a look that is both regal and revolutionary.”

With their traditional aesthetic and innovation in fashion design, Khaled and Marwan Maison De Couture are absolutely bound to transcend their Middle Eastern borders. According to Darwish, the brand plans to take a step further from regional red carpets and Arab monarchs by dressing global talents to reach international markets soon.

Find more of their work here.