Vaqar SS15
Fashion news from Tehran doesn’t reach the west very often. But that could soon change with Iranian label Vaqar, which was one of the initial 23 nominees shortlisted for this year’s LVMH-award. The brand was founded in 2013 by two Tehran-born sisters Shiva and Shirin Vaghar, who present modern and impeccably elegant clothes, daringly cut and in monochromatic colours – challenging the images of Iran we see in the media. And with European fashion houses ramping up their exposure in the Muslim world, Vaqar’s universally appealing fashion couldn’t have come at a better time. SLEEK spoke the Vaghar sisters about their humble beginnings, big ambitions and how the political situation affects their work.
Could you tell about how you two came to working in fashion?
Shiva: We were born and grew up in Tehran, Iran. I studied business and Shirin studied visual arts but we both are self-taught in fashion design. We’ve always loved fashion but when we graduated from high school there was no (and there are none still) suitable fashion schools here so we didn’t take it seriously and thought if we would be more successful if we studied something more conventional. However, after facing deadlocks in doing jobs we didn’t love, we decided to do something what we both love, something that lasts forever for us.
“These clothes are made for strong and independent women.”
Vaqar SS15
Your designs seem to be modernist and futuristic at the same time, what influences your vision?
Maybe because we’ve always tried our best to make something different and new by modernising the old styles that we like.
Do you have fashion icons that you look up to?
There are so many fashion icons we admire, but especially the ones who have their own way regardless to the time and trends like Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo.
What do you think about while working?
We are always inspired by very different characters.
Who are the Vaqar clothes made for?
These clothes are made for strong and independent women.
What was your reaction to being nominated for the LVMH award?
We were so surprised and thrilled; it was one of our goals to be seen internationally.
“Difficult conditions sometimes can be inspiring”
Vaqar SS15
In Berlin we know very little about the Iranian fashion and cultural scene. Could tell us a little more about it?
Iranian fashion is a comparatively recent thing and it can be said that the Iranian fashion designers are the only elements of it and also are carrying out the whole business all by themselves due to the lack of proper conditions like education, official organisational support, international cultural relations and distance from international art and fashion magazines.
Still, we think there’s a positive aspect in all these limitations because difficult conditions sometimes can be inspiring; it’s possible to create what you love and stand out even if the situation is far from perfect.
Shiva and Shirin Vaghar who make up the fashion label Vaqar
Does the political situation affect your work? Have you felt any changes lately?
We suppose the political situation affects our work just like it affects everything else. It’s a bit soon to feel the changes as the easing of sanctions are recent but we believe that the changes will influence Iran economic and cultural relationships a lot.
What are your plans for future?
Presenting our collections internationally is our most important plan.
See Vaqar’s AW15 collection in the image gallery below