Iranian Designers Shaping Global Fashion

At a time when Iran is once again facing profound unrest, turning toward Iranian creativity feels both fragile and deeply important. The country stands on the brink of yet another reckoning with the IR, and for many in the diaspora, it feels heavy, urgent, and deeply personal. In moments like this, spotlighting Iranian creativity can feel fleeting and almost fragile, but also necessary to highlight. Long before headlines, and long after them, Iranian talent has been shaping culture quietly, powerfully, and globally.

This is a moment to acknowledge Iranian designers not as a trend, but as a legacy of resilience, vision, and undeniable taste.

Here are some Iranian creatives whose influence continues to shape the fashion and beauty industry…globally.

Negin Mirsalehi — Gisou

If modern luxury had a case study in authenticity-meets-global-scale, Gisou would be it. Founded by Negin Mirsalehi, the Dutch-Iranian entrepreneur turned her family’s beekeeping heritage into one of the most recognizable haircare brands in the world. Gisou is clean, feminine, and intentional luxury without excess. Negin represents a new generation of Iranian women: business-minded, globally fluent, and rooted in heritage without being defined by it.

Mike Amiri — AMIRI

AMIRI is proof that Iranian designers aren’t following fashion, they’re defining it. Founded by Mike Amiri, the LA-based luxury house blends rock-and-roll rebellion with couture-level craftsmanship. The brand’s denim, tailoring, and leather pieces are worn by the biggest names in music and sports, yet still feel intimate and intentional. AMIRI doesn’t scream heritage ,but the discipline, precision, and confidence behind it feel unmistakably Persian.

Amir Taghi

Amir Taghi is one of those designers fashion insiders whisper about before the world catches on. His work blends sharp tailoring with softness, masculinity with vulnerability. There’s restraint in his designs and nothing feels overdone, which makes each piece feel thoughtful and architectural. In a fashion world obsessed with noise, Amir Taghi’s work speaks quietly, but carries weight.

Jasmin Larian — Cult Gaia

Perhaps the most influential in the modern fashion world, Cult Gaia didn’t just create “It bags”, it created objects of desire. Founded by Iranian-American designer Jasmin Larian, the brand sits perfectly between art and fashion. Sculptural silhouettes, earthy tones, and timeless femininity define Cult Gaia. Jasmin’s work feels ancestral and futuristic at the same time.

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

A cult favorite among fashion girls who actually know fashion. Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s brand is playful, sensual, and deeply personal. Known especially for her shoes, her designs feel lived-in, not precious. Her work reflects a softer, more experimental side of Iranian creativity.

Bijan Pakzad — House of Bijan

Growing up, Bijan Pakzad was the pride and joy of many Iranians. He is the eptiome of “old-school” fashion. The late Bijan Pakzad built one of the most exclusive luxury menswear houses in the world, dressing royalty, presidents, and billionaires from his iconic Rodeo Drive boutique. Bijan was opulence, confidence, and Persian glamour at its peak. He is most definitely considered the “OG” of Persian designers.

To celebrate Iranian designers right now is complicated. There’s pride, grief, anger, hope…all existing at once. Art matters. Creation matters, and Iranian designers, whether rooted in Tehran or the diaspora, continue to shape global fashion in ways that cannot be erased or ignored. To spotlight Iranian designers right now is to hold two truths at once: grief and pride.

xx

Rana