Fashion > Iranian Fashion > NEW IRANIAN FASHION FROM DIASPORA BY SHABNAM REZAEI
IAAB Conference's Presents Houshidar Mortezaie
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One of the most visually stunning presentations of the IAAB Conference 2007 in New York was the fashion show by Hushidar Mortezaie. The show consisted of Hushidar’s latest and greatest pieces which were modeled by several Iranian beauties. It is always so nice to see contemporary Iranian fashion. Hushidar’s work has clear Iranian influence in every ensemble, ranging from Googoosh throwback 70’s style, to “Khorshid Khanoom” motifs carefully hand painted on leather hats and jackets.
Of particular notice was the soft, white, innocent cloth with little blue flowers (a la Maman Bozorg) on what Hushidar called the “Persian Princess” juxtaposed against harsh military outfits which perhaps reminded us of our varied and interesting history. Indeed these ladies were serious about fashion, with one label reading, “Bokosham-o Khoshgelam Kon” (Kill me and make me beautiful), perhaps pointing to the extremes Iranian men and women go to, to attain beauty and youth.
Finding true Iranian fashion is always difficult, as Iranians tend to either copy what is in the West, or coveing up and not caring about a true Iranian identity in fashion. Trendsetters like Hushidar are not only creative in this way and lead the pack, but they are also important to our identity as a people. His work is truly delicate and one can see he has spent days on the smallest details which make every outfit great.
May there be more of this type of Iranian fashion for us all to enjoy.
About the Designer
Hushidar Mortezaie was born in Tehran and emigrated at the age of three to the Bay Area of California in 1975. He attended UC Berkeley for Fine Arts and Illustration in 1991 and moved to NYC for 10 and a half years with his design and business partner Michael Sears. Together they formed the influential cult fashion label Michael and Hushi in which American popular culture, Parisian couture posturing, and a new wave of Iranian aesthetics created a singular vision that was lauded by countless fashion mags such as W
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and Vogue as well as continually worn by Madonna, Britney Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Brad Pitt. Hushi's bohemian California skater cool childhood blended with gritty New York art house styling and Iranian traditions of Googoosh and Qajar and gave him the breadth of material to realize his art. Instantly, his vision of his surroundings were reflected in his eyes and back to the world through a kaleidoscope of images that all melded into a new force of pop art and fashion. He has been credited for his prophetic buying for the ultra hip Patricia Field boutique which led to the Japanese pop phenomenon of the early nineties, single-handedly beginning the rise of Iranian calligraphy on textiles, bringing the hejab into the Paris fashion houses and magazines, and a new desire and urgency for the younger generation’s exploration of Middle Eastern cool. Other than the fashion world, his work has been exhibited in galleries across the US, Japan, Dubai, Europe and Iran. Hushidar now resides in Los Angeles, closer to the largest group of young Iranians where he continues to inspire and influence.
Fashion Models
Liz
Lilly Rouhani-Farhang
Nina Shahi
La’al Shams
Hadis Ghoghaie
Shabnam Lotfi
Suzanne Nouri
Sharareh Siadat Loeffler
More about the 2007 IAAB Conference.
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