Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. Women, Life, Freedom in Farsi.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranians have been subjugated to a repressive regime that robs its people – and especially women – of these values and more.

Last month’s killing of Mahsa Amini – detained by the morality police for the way she wore her hijab headscarf – triggered protests throughout Iran and around the world.

“What we wear is the most basic form of self-expression, and show of our values as individuals,” Behnaz Sarafpour, who was born in Iran, says. “No one should be forced to live in silence. I stand with the women of Iran.

“Although only a few of us are of Iranian background, we all as designers create fashion for women globally and want all women to have freedom to choose,” Sarafpour adds. “We need support from our non-Iranian fellow creatives to amplify the voice of this minority.”

“As an American of Iranian descent, I feel a deep connection with the people of Iran and am compelled to use my platform to raise awareness of their plight,” Mike Amiri says. “I hope that many more in our industry as well as mainstream media will help shine the light on this fight for fundamental human rights.”

The news coming out of Iran – mostly via social media, as there are no U.S. outlets on the ground and information is likely censored – is increasingly concerning, if not downright frightening. On Saturday, a fire broke out at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where the regime holds political prisoners, intellectuals, journalists, activists, students and others who oppose the system.

My ancestors are from Iran. Persian culture is proud and strong, and it significantly defined my identity, from the soulfulness of the Farsi language and its breathtaking poetry to the abundant warmth and hospitality, the food, and, of course, the strength of Iranian women, which is on full display these days.

I interviewed several designers and executives working in the American fashion industry and who are of Iranian descent. Each spoke to the way in which Iranian culture has shaped them.

“The fabric of my life is informed by being a Persian woman and being raised by a community of them,” Cult Gaia’s Jasmin Larian Hekmat says. “They are strong-willed, passionate, inspiring, generous and fight for what they believe in. It is incredibly difficult to see women being persecuted for basic human rights.

“I am so inspired by their bravery in standing up to this regime and am in awe of their fearlessness,” Larian Hekmat adds. “Part of me wants fashion to not be political. For me it is a means of escape, especially Cult Gaia –but this really hits home and is who we are. A huge part of my work is driven from a fantasy of a pre- revolutionary Iran where women were allowed to express themselves and creativity was celebrated.”

While a significant number of Iranians in our industry were born and raised here after their families fled during the 1979 revolution, the memories relayed by their ancestors and the pride of heritage has remained intact.

“If you were lucky enough to be born in Iran and still remember its splendor, culture and beauty it is impossible for it not to live in you and shape who you are as a person,” says Mazdack Rassi, Co-Founder of Milk Studios and Milk Makeup. “Iran for many of us wasn’t a country but an identity.

“It’s painful to watch what is going on in Iran, especially for the young generation who inherited this regime,” Rassi notes. “At the forefront of this revolution are the young girls who are risking their lives. For them, there is no going back. The global fashion community has always….been the leaders in change and social issues. We must show absolute support and amplify the voices of people in Iran, specifically the youth.”

Mandana Dayani, President of Archewell and Creator of I am a voter., was born in Iran and says that “being Iranian is one of the biggest parts of my identity – my first language and the basis for most of my traditions, hospitality, humor, and love for art, food, decor, and entertaining.

“Iran,” Dayani explains, “is a multiethnic, multicultural society, home to dozens of languages and religions. For over a thousand years, it was a global beacon of poetry, science, mathematics, literature, and cuisine. I am so moved by the courage and bravery of the women and young girls leading this revolution. I can’t tell you how surreal it is to scroll through my feeds and hear Farsi and see women that look like me. I was able to leave Iran in pursuit of safety. I have the freedom these women are risking their lives for every day. I am so proud to be standing with them and so inspired by their leadership.”

Designer Nellie Partow echoes these sentiments. “The bravery of the female-led revolt in Iran is incredibly inspiring. It’s an extraordinary movement to dismantle a dictatorship that has led with brutality, driving fear for 43 years. I’m in awe of the strength and voice of my fellow Iranian women. They deserve basic human rights.”

Jonathan Simkhai’s paternal grandfather ran a lace mill in Tehran. “My heritage means everything to me and my ties to that part of my heritage moves me in so many ways,” he says. “Seeing what goes on in Iran breaks my heart while also filling it with hope for the future for these remarkably brave Iranian women and their equality. These young women, and the older generation of women who can’t be on the streets but provide safe havens and essential care to the women who can…there are no words…just to have a shred of that bravery.”

Jasmin Shokrian, too, is deeply moved by the magnitude of unrest in Iran. “If you choose to cover yourself in modesty or as a means to make a statement, that should be a choice,” she says. “If one wants to choose to wear a signifier of their beliefs even whether it’s a Chador, a slogan tee, a short skirt or a gender bending dress, even a misleading silly red cap…every human being should have the right to choose.”

Catherine M. Zadeh is “incensed yet so hopeful” by the news coming out of Iran, much of which is playing out on social media as most countries do not have reporters on the ground.

“Every time I experienced upheavals and demonstrations in Iran, I prayed that it would bring down this regime which has destroyed the lives of so many, not only in Iran but in the entire Middle East. It is not surprising that Iranian women are the catalyst of the latest demonstration,” Zadeh noted. “They are strong and fearless, the silent backbone of their society even though they have been repressed and muffled. This regime knows that the only way to survive is to break their spirit through humiliation and violence. But the spirit of the Iranian women cannot be broken.

“This,” she adds, “is a time in history when women from all over the world, from all walks of life, from across the political divide, should be on the streets hand in hand demonstrating their support.”

Top Photo: A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey on September 20, 2022. Credit: Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images

Noor Pahlavi on being Iranian, the Protests, and Hopes for Iran

Noor Pahlavi is a New York-based activist and influencer. She is also the granddaughter of Iran’s last Shah, the late Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Born in Maryland well after the revolution, Noor has been joining other Iranians at protests.

Here, she shares some thoughts on her Iranian heritage, the current unrest, and hopes for Iran’s future.

As an Iranian or of Iranian descent, what does your heritage mean to you and how does it factor into your identity?

There is a bond between Iranians that is difficult to put into words. No matter how far away we are from home, or if we haven’t ever yet been home, being Iranian is an inseparable part of our identity. It’s our family, our language, our culture, how we relate to one another and a part of everything we do. Being far from Iran makes those bonds and sentiments even stronger.

What are your feelings as you see the growing unrest and violence against protesters, particularly against women?

Most Iranians living outside of the country still feel very strong ties to our country from hearing first-hand accounts from our family members. I can say that for me and others, watching what is happening to our compatriots weighs heavily on us. This weight is accompanied by a feeling of helplessness to a certain extent. We are watching these brave women and men risk everything for their freedoms and those of their loved ones, having been crushed by brutal force time and again. But we’re inspired by that bravery to do whatever we can to be a voice for their struggle. There’s been a strong desire from the Iranian diaspora in any way they can, which has been remarkable. We have to keep that dedication and desire going by continuing to share the content coming out of Iran and not allowing our compatriots to fall victim to the next news cycle.

What are your thoughts on the role fashion plays in freedom of expression and its place in social/political movements?

Art has always been so important for us Iranians. Whether that be music or painting or poetry or fashion, art of course has always played a role in advancing social and political movements. I hope the international arts community can continue to expand its role in being a voice for Iranians and follow the lead of brave Iranian artists like Shervin Hajipour and others.

I think much of the international community is still not aware of the extent of the subjugation women in Iran have faced since 1979. They can’t dance in public; they can’t sing in public; ride a bicycle; get married without the permission of a father or judge; they are segregated from men in the classroom, workplace, beaches; they can’t become judges, hold key positions in government or in the religious sector, or gain influence through any positions that might help them determine their own fates.

Iran, under this regime, is truly a gender apartheid. The art world can play an important role in highlighting these facts in poignant ways that even politicians or the media may not be able to. This applies particularly to the world of fashion because this movement has often been symbolized by women removing a mandatory headscarf, which symbolizes all of these forms of oppression, and burning it.

What are your hopes for Iran?

I hope to see a secular, democratic, unified Iran where people celebrate their differences and aren’t cast aside or punished because of who they love, their gender, or religious beliefs. I hope to see a day where people cast their votes freely for their elected representatives. I hope to see the environmental damage inflicted by this greedy and careless regime addressed so that Iran’s natural resources and beauty can be restored and preserved for future generations.