Arefeh Mansouri | |
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![]() Mansouri at the Emmy Awards in 2012 | |
Born | |
Nationality | Iranian |
Education | Concordia University LaSalle College Harvard University |
Occupation(s) | Fashion designer, Costume designer |
Awards | Bronze Award for Avant-Garde design at the International Design Awards (2013) Silver Award for Couture and Avant-Garde Wedding Apparel at the International Design Awards (2017) |
Website | arefeh |
Arefeh Mansouri (born November 8, 1980) is an Iranian fashion and costume designer. [1] Her work has appeared in magazines such as Vogue , Elle , WWD , Marie Claire , InStyle among others.
Mansouri was born November 8, 1980, in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to Canada at 16. [2] During her early years, Mansouri displayed great interest and aptitude in painting. [3] She started her undergraduate education with a major in biology at Concordia University with the intent to pursue a career in medicine. She began her studies of fashion at Montreal's LaSalle College. [4] In 2016 Mansouri received an "Executive Education" from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. [5]
Mansouri launched a women's prêt-à-porter line until she was offered a position in Milan, Italy as head designer for an Italian clothing firm. [6] In 2007, she relaunched her line in the United States with a specific focus on Couture Wedding and Evening wear. [7] [8] In addition, she began pursuing her passion for costume design and had pieces featured in Hollywood productions. [9] Mansouri is a member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Costume Designers Guild as a costume designer. In 2009, Mansouri was asked to collaborate with Entertainment Weekly and Women in Film to design tote bags for the Emmy Awards pre-party. [10]
In 2011, Mansouri created a dress based on Karel Appel's Sculpture the Tulip. [11] In 2012, Mansouri collaborated with Juan Pont Lezica to recreate a photograph of Sir Fredric Leighton's painting the Flaming June . The picture was exhibited at The Parthenon, Nashville's Art Museum. [12]
In 2013, Mansouri established her signature store, "AREFEH", at 150 Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida. [13] [14] In 2016, she relocated her store to Miami's Coral Gables, Florida. [15]
In 2014, Mansouri was invited by Women's Wear Daily and Magic to attend a three-day trade show at WWDMAGIC, in Las Vegas, to show her latest collection. [16]
In 2015, Mansouri was included in the bestseller Jewels of Allah The Untold Story of Women in Iran, [17] written by Nina Ansary. In 2016, Mansouri was nominated for National Design Awards by Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. [18]
In 2017, Mansouri was awarded Second Prize in Apparel Category Competition for the Couture and Avant Garde Wedding Apparel Project at the International Design Awards. [19]
Mansouri is one of the youngest inventors to be granted a U.S. patent in the area of women's shoes. [20] "Flat Plat" is a flat shoe that uses a proprietary outsole that is engineered for maximum comfort and support. [21] On 5 May, 2015, Mansouri was awarded a US patent for her invention. [22]