Iran born fashion designer Masih Zad may be in his early twenties, but his youthful designs don't neglect his Persian culture. In fact, they honor some of the best cultural art traditions of Iran, including Persian calligraphy, while blending them with modern tailoring.
While his suits and other high fashion pieces look very western, the Masih Designs line is largely influenced by Persian art.
Zad was born in Esfahan in 1984, a city known for its art scene, so he was exposed to things like the intricacy of Persian weaving techniques in antique rugs. In fact, when he was only 13, he started making his own rugs, using traditional methods. His work is inspired by Persian calligraphy masters like Kamalolmolk, Ali Reza Abbassi, Behzad, Arjangi and Seirafian.
"Masih's sole purpose and dream is to disseminate Persian art throughout the world by presenting one of the facets of Persian culture," his site explains. "He has surrendered his soul to this lofty cause, and consequently the uniqueness of his work, along with the singular aspects of it, sets him apart as a pioneer in this art."
The gallery shows some examples of this, highlighting key pieces from his 2008 Spring/Summer Collection. Note the details on pieces like the black pencil skirt in the main image: it's full printed with ancient Persian calligraphic script.
Here is another fashion designer from Iran:
Fashion in Iran
Masih Designs
Trend Themes
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2. Blending Tradition with Modern Tailoring - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combining traditional design elements with contemporary tailoring techniques to create a fashion line that appeals to both traditional and modern sensibilities.
3. Promoting Cultural Art Worldwide - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing platforms and initiatives to showcase and promote the art and cultural traditions of specific regions, such as Persian calligraphy, through fashion and design.
Industry Implications
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3. Cultural Promotion - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating platforms and initiatives that promote and preserve cultural art and traditions, fostering global appreciation and understanding of different cultural heritages.