1 Scheming, like a couturier perhaps (9) DESIGNING [couturier as in haute couture in fashion]

5 A heavy blow could cause embarrassment (5) ABASH [Anita : A + heavy blow = BASH]

8 Money for Barbie, say: a rouble (6) DOLLAR[CVasi : doll - a - r As Barbie is an example of a doll, the clue-writer has written 'say' (here it's not a homophone idicator.]

9 Standards for rice Rita cooked (8) CRITERIA [Anag of RICE + RITA, cooked is the anag indicator]

11 Everyone taking part in a rare achievement (4) EACH [Hidden Clue - Everyone is the definition, rarE ACHievement]

12 Goalie on US trip, producing oil (10) OLEAGINOUS [CVasi : Anag. trip - anagrind; producing oil - def]

14 Ruth's daughter-in-law (5) NAOMI [CVasi : Biblical ref]

15 Somehow undo railway briefly but thoroughly (7) ROUNDLY [Anag of UNDO + RLY]

16 Driving seat for a bird, mine! (7) COCKPIT [Anita : bird = COCK + mine = pit, as in a coal mine.]

17 Revolutionary way to find a box (5) CHE-ST [CVasi : Ref to Che Guvera]

19 Demonstrate how the sway is thwarted (4,3,3) SHOW THE WAY [Anag of HOW THE SWAY]

20 Old creature in one party after another (4) DODO [Wild Guess]

22 Boy posed with another, got dog (8) ALSATIAN [AL(Boy) + SAT(Posed) + IAN(Boy)]

23 The best band for broadcasting (6) AIRING [the best - A1 -AI band - ring]

24 Laundry machine that is more uninteresting (5) DRYER [Direct Clue]

25 Obeserver's entitlement to a command on the parade ground (4,5) EYES RIGHT [CVasi : observer's - eyes entitlement - right]

Down

1 Shifty chap, artful Dickensian (6) DIDDLER [Anita : means a swindler ie., a shifty chap, Dickensian means devilish Ravi : with reference to "The Artful Dodger" - Jack Dawkins in Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist ]

2 In close focus, Lys dances in an affected manner (4-11) SELF-CONSCIOUSLY [Anag of IN CLOSE FOCUS LYS]

3 Creature of the Capricorn (4) GOAT [Direct Clue]

4 Medical specialist for a tiring race, one disintegrating (12) GERIATRICIAN [Anag of A TIRING RACE + I(One)]

5 Properties at the centre of creation: praises follow (10) ATRIBUTES [ATTRIBUTES ( centre of creation = AT + praises = TRIBUTES follow )]

6 Indira, incognito, devises a way to beat the weather (3-12) AIR-CONDITIONING [Anag of INDIRA COGNITO]

7 Gossip to listen to and utter (7) HEARSAY [Direct Clue, HEAR(Listen) + SAY(Utter)]

10 Everything's a part of sport, don't let it upset you (3,2,3,4) ALL IN THE GAME [Direct Clue]

13 Co-opt timer failing as a rival (10) COMPETITOR [Anag of CO-OPT TIMER]

16 Dish with a crust developing — top of desserts (7) CUSTARD [Anag of A CRUST + D(top of desserts)]

18 Do not remember, for example, going up in a stronghold (6) FORGET [FOR GE(EG going up) + T??]

21 Landing place for a lord, reportedly (4) PIER [PIER ( peer = lord)]