AZHAND SHOKOHI
Azhand attributes much of her success to her parents, who recognized her artistic talent
when she was quite young. It was her father, a civil engineer with the National Iranian Oil
Company and published poet, from whom she says she inherited her drawing talent.
Her mother, a biology teacher and school principal, would later encourage her
to take up fabric arts like knitting, crocheting, and sewing, which evolved into
passions for clothing and jewelry design.
"My parents both had style. The designer
that I am today is effected enormously by the richness of the Persian culture,
especially my father's originality and my mother's elegant manners.
In addition, I became passionate about the extravagant world of haute-couture –
the lavish fabrics, exquisite jewels, and ornate trims. I became fascinated with
Couture the first time I watched the 1942 movie ‘The Major and the Minor’."
It was nature that first stirred Azhand Shokohi's artistic inclinations.
Persian gardens have influenced the design of Persian artists throughout centuries.
The idea of an earthly paradise spread through Persian literature and example to other cultures,
these garden's, a form of garden that attempts to emulate the garden of eden, purpose was,
and is, to provide a place for protected relaxation in a variety of manners: spiritual, and leisurely.
Driven in part by the dissatisfaction with the present government in Persia,
Azhand was encouraged by her parents to sought out places resembling earthly paradises,
feeding its psychological and spiritual resonances into her work.
Azhand Shokohi is also very sensitive to Persian miniature painting's colors and Persian language (farsi), its effects of complementaries, contrasts and harmony.
Persian miniatures are increasingly creative and complex.
These delicate, lush paintings are typically visually stunning, with a level of detail
which can only be achieved with a very fine hand and an extremely small brush.
Her desire to pursue to draw was refocused when she realized her love for fashion.
Although, she always says her first passion is drawing, she paid more attention to her love for fashion.
But like a true artists she never stopped her drawing completely.
As a young child growing up in Tehran, Persia (is now modern Iran), Azhand dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. In her young mind, she could envision complete looks that incorporated freewheeling, statement-making design work that inspired joy and encouraged wearers to embrace the beauty and mystery that exist everywhere in the world. Azhand knew early on that creative expression through fashion can change minds and hearts.
Due to change of government in Iran, Azhand’s family decided to leave Persia and start a new life.
Azhand spent her childhood in Persia, followed by time in Germany, before she and her family settled in the United States to pursue an education in medicine at her parent’s encouragement. As she studied Pre-med, it became clear that Azhand’s true passion was always in fashion design and she went on to receive her bachelor of science degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), double majoring in fashion design and product development.
"We moved to Germany. I learned German in a few months because life was hard enough and not knowing the language was even harder.
We moved to the United States. Now another new life, and another new language."
After graduation, she worked for prominent companies in California and New York City, including Warnico, Chaps® Ralph Lauren.
This website is dedicated to my beloved parents, Malieheh Davoud Shokohi and Amir Hushang Shokohi, without whom I would not be here.
-