Mahshid Mahdian: Designing Fashion With Feeling

The collection that impressed the judges at both Mittelmoda and Dunedin was entitled ‘Shadow’ and was inspired by the island of Burano in Venice, an area famous for its brightly colored houses. ‘Shadow’ consists of five geometric outfits that depict the reflections created in the water surrounding the island. It’s a restrained, complex interpretation of an area normally documented by vibrant photographs and paintings of its candy-colored waterfront. This attention to subtle detail impressed the judging panel, who also remarked on Mahdian’s innovative pattern-cutting and striking silhouettes. iD judge Francis Hooper, commented in a release that “Mahshid captured a moment in a heartbeat. When you look at her collection, you know she had it just right.” It’s an ambitious designer who seeks to capture the feeling of a place rather than just its aesthetic and it’s a successful designer who actually manages to achieve that.
The discovery of new talents like Mahdian is one of the highlights of any fashion week and is part of what makes the iD Dunedin International Designer Award one of the most exciting events on the international calendar. Cities like Milan and London have also become centres for international designers to establish themselves as a result of the British Fashion Awards and the aforementioned Mittelmoda prize. Meanwhile, many Middle Eastern brands, such as ‘The Emperor 1688’, which was founded by three Iranian brothers, have chosen to establish themselves in Dubai, which is fast becoming a fashion haven to rival the ‘Big Four’: Paris, New York, London and Rome.

Whilst the closure of Khanah Mode has undoubtedly struck a blow to Iran’s emerging fashion industry, the former director of the institute, Javid Shirazi, has remained optimistic, declaring that ‘since last year there’s been a transformation in the framework of the permits we can get and what we can do. With the great potential this country has and the great desire young Iranians have, there is a bright future for the fashion industry in Iran, and this [the shutting down of Khaneh Mode] is just necessary experience we need to gain to go ahead’.
In the meantime, Mahdian’s success story serves as a reminder that established fashion institutions are not merely for reinforcing the expected style status quo, but to provide a platform for emerging talent worldwide. It will be exciting to watch how Mahdian’s career will develop as a result of this crucial recognition.