Rawan Alsahsah’s Rise: From Saudi Interiors to F1 Tracks with RIS Group

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation into a regional creative powerhouse, one name quietly but consistently resonates within design circles: Rawan Alsahsah. Founder of RIS Group, Rawan has redefined what it means to build spaces. Her journey from a solo entrepreneur to the creative force behind one of Saudi Arabia’s most respected interior and product design firms is as intentional as the rooms she curates.

A Founder Fueled by Vision

In 2002, at a time when few Saudi women were leading design studios, Rawan launched RIS Group (an acronym for Rawan Ishaq Alsahsah). From the outset, she envisioned a firm that didn’t just decorate homes, but reflected the soul of the people who lived in them. "Interiors should naturally reflect the client’s personality," she once noted, emphasizing her philosophy of intuitive, culturally resonant design.

From its headquarters in Jeddah, RIS quickly gained traction for its elegant yet functional residential and commercial projects, blending regional aesthetics with global design principles. Her use of Feng Shui, eco-conscious materials, and a deep respect for spatial harmony sets her work apart.

RIS Group: Built to Reflect, Not Impress

Unlike firms chasing trends, RIS grew through resonance. As Rawan explained in Harper’s Bazaar Arabia;

"The second people enter [a RIS-designed space], the energy is unbelievable… it feels as if they’ve shifted somewhere else"

— Rawan Alsahah to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

Her own home is a perfect example: a luminous, eclectic space where antique French chandeliers hang above streamlined furniture, and vintage Italian finds share space with Saudi craftsmanship. Each piece is selected with a collector’s eye, but a storyteller’s heart.

Her firm’s work reflects a deep belief: design should be timeless, not loud. RIS projects are layered with heritage, texture, and light - not logos.

Beyond Interiors: The Birth of Rawan Isaac

In 2019, Rawan expanded her vision globally by launching Rawan Isaac, a New York-based luxury furniture line under the RIS umbrella. The brand reflects her signature style: Art Deco curves, mid-century lines, and pieces named after celestial bodies (Aria, Luna, Elektra) each designed to elevate and anchor any space.

The collection debuted at High Point Market, one of the world’s largest furniture industry events, where it gained international attention. Her dining table design, a minimalist blend of marble and brass, became an instant bestseller both at home and in the global design community.

Leadership with Intention

As RIS grew into a multimillion-riyal enterprise, so did Rawan’s leadership. She built a company culture defined by collaboration, curiosity, and care. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought in her projects. It’s a design pillar. Her team practices resource-efficient design and often integrates natural elements that create calm, grounded spaces.

She’s also a visible advocate for creative leadership in the Kingdom. Rawan has spoken at Index Design Talks in Riyadh, Seamless Saudi Arabia, and continues to mentor emerging designers, especially women in the architecture and design fields (Instagram).

A Global Moment on the Track

In 2025, Rawan Alsahsah and RIS Group took their vision to the global stage in an unexpected but powerful way: Formula 1. Through a high-profile collaboration with American Express Saudi Arabia, the RIS logo proudly appeared on the F1 Academy car of racer Nicole Havrda.

It wasn’t just a branding moment. It was a symbol of what happens when design, ambition, and women-led innovation intersect.

“Together, we’re championing a future where more women take the driver’s seat, in business, in engineering, and beyond.”

— Rawan Alsahsah, via LinkedIn

The collaboration underscored Rawan’s commitment to supporting women not only in design, but across disciplines. It also signaled a new era for RIS. One where its creative identity is no longer just seen in homes and interiors, but on tracks, in global partnerships, and in movements that matter.

Vision 2030 and the Creative Renaissance

Rawan’s design practice is deeply aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly the initiatives tied to culture, creative industries, and urban development. Her work demonstrates how local talent can be globally competitive while staying authentically rooted.

By championing quality, craft, and cultural fluency, she is helping to elevate Saudi Arabia’s creative exports and redefine luxury as something personal, not performative.

Recognition & Global Presence

Rawan’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed:

• Winner of the IIDA Global Excellence Award (2018)
• Featured in Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Vogue Arabia, Business of Home, Arab News, and Best Interior Designers
• Invited to showcase at High Point Market, the global design trade show
• Serves on multiple design and creative advisory boards in the Kingdom (Bold Profile)

These honors are not just about design. They’re about influence and impact.

What’s Next for Rawan Alsahsah?

RIS Group continues to expand across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, with a renewed focus on hospitality, wellness spaces, and experiential design. The Rawan Isaac brand is building new international partnerships and preparing for its next design showcase.

Rawan herself is doubling down on design education and mentorship, aiming to raise the next generation of Saudi designers who can innovate without forgetting where they come from.

Her story is not about building a design empire. It’s about elevating everyday living through intentional beauty.

Follow Founder’s Tale for more stories of the visionaries reshaping Saudi Arabia’s creative and entrepreneurial future.