In celebration of Pride, Banana Republic invited me and three other artists to create unique works of art, channeling the brand’s spirit of inclusivity through the lens of our own creative vision.
Taking inspiration from a limited edition flight suit from the Banana Republic archives, I designed a very textural and layered art piece that tells the story of my journey as an Iranian immigrant who is reconciling my rich Persian culture & heritage with my existence as a queer artist and change-maker in the contemporary Western world.
To me, Pride means taking risks to walk on this earth in our authentic bodies and genders. It means going on a lifelong journey to tap into and honor our own desires, while also learning to respect and honor others whose desires are different from our own. Pride is a journey towards embracing ourselves and releasing the shame and fear that society has put upon us.
My art is made up of multitudes and layers. It is maximalist, colorful and full of joy. It defies genre and spans the world of design, food, performance and storytelling. There is rich texture both in the visual aspects of my work and in the stories it tells. Like my art, I am a very layered being who has been on a lifelong journey of discovery. The story my art tells is that of resilience and resourcefulness; of living a colorful and rich life that is a balancing act of calculated risks and of lush beauty.
Style and fashion have played an important role in my life, both professionally and personally. Over the years, I have expressed both my queerness and the connection to my Persian heritage through personal style, which includes not just the clothes I wear but also my hairstyles, body language and accessories.
My personal style is firmly rooted in the celebration of my queer and divine femininity, with a nod to both my Persian roots and my love and respect of Mexican and Latin American cultures. I embrace vibrant colors, bold patterns, statement necklaces and big hair. I love to clash patterns and wear larger-than-life looks. I am not shy to show off my thickness or curves and I celebrate the fact that I am a womxn in my forties with all the experience that comes with that.
The “Legacy of Pride” fashion art installation will be up at the Banana Republic in Los Angeles at Westfield Century City from June 1-30, 2022.
