On September 4, 2025, the Neshat Village in Zafaraniyeh, Tehran, hosted Iran’s first TEDx event dedicated to fashion and design.
Titled “Edgy Flow”, the event was held under official license from the global TED organization, in collaboration with the Iranian Apparel Brands Association and a group of leading professionals in the country’s fashion industry.
During this inspiring gathering, eight prominent speakers — designers, entrepreneurs, and thinkers — took to the iconic red circle to share their personal journeys, creative insights, and lived experiences with the audience.
Nagmeh Kioumarsy: Clothing as the Silent Dialogue Between Humans
Among the lineup, the presence of Nagmeh Kioumarsy, fashion designer and founder of her own label, was one of the most memorable moments of the event.
As the first speaker to step on stage, she opened the series with a heartfelt story — a journey born from her love for color, fabric, and humanity.
Speaking in a poetic yet sincere tone, Kioumarsy recalled the spark of her childhood inspiration:
“It all began with my grandmother’s simple sentence: You paint, and I’ll sew.”
A phrase that ignited a creative flame — one that continues to shape her designs today.
For Kioumarsy, fashion goes far beyond clothing. She described it as a profound, wordless language — a medium for emotion, identity, and human connection:
“Clothing is the most silent conversation between us humans.
Its story is woven into the threads long before it rests upon our bodies.”
She emphasized the importance of having a personal signature in design, asserting that true success in fashion comes not from imitation, but from the courage to be different and to create through one’s own perspective.
“Colors don’t always come from joy,” she added. “Sometimes, it’s hardship and sorrow that give them depth and meaning.”
A Tapestry of Courage, Continuity, and Hope
Following Kioumarsy, the stage welcomed other influential figures in Iranian fashion:
Majid Mazaheri (Deputy CEO of Banimode), Erfan Tahzibi (Co-founder of Artman), Banafsheh Hemmati (Philosopher of Art and Founder of Banafsheh Design Studio), Sana Khalessi (Founder of Komoda), Parastoo Nobati (Editor-in-Chief of Sarak Comode magazine), Kimia Salehi (Co-founder of Aastin platform), and Nami Sanati (Founder of Nami Sanati Perfume Lab).
Each speaker offered a unique perspective on boldness in the Iranian fashion landscape — from authenticity and resilience to sustainability, trust, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams.
Together, their stories painted the portrait of an evolving industry — young yet vibrant, filled with creativity, determination, and optimism for the future.
Challenges and Achievements
Despite minor organizational shortcomings, the first TEDx Fashion in Iran was widely viewed as a valuable and inspiring milestone by experts and attendees alike.
According to Reyhaneh Faghani, founder of RIFA Academy, the event provided a rare opportunity for networking and idea exchange among professionals and creatives in fashion.
Meanwhile, industry figures such as Shahrokh Keshavarz and Dr. Siamak Nazemi emphasized the importance of improving the quality of presentations in future editions — while acknowledging that the very act of taking this bold first step marked a sign of maturity within Iran’s fashion ecosystem.
A New Chapter for Iranian Fashion
TEDx Alef can be seen as a turning point in the trajectory of Iranian fashion — an event where courage, creativity, and personal storytelling came together to sketch a new narrative for the country’s design culture.
Nagmeh Kioumarsy’s talk served as a reminder that fashion is not merely about garments, but about people, emotions, and dialogue.
She represents a new generation of Iranian designers determined to redefine culture and identity through the language of color, texture, and imagination.
Though this was the first TEDx dedicated to fashion in Iran, it marked a bold and hopeful beginning — one that could pave the way for a more innovative, sustainable, and globally connected Iranian fashion industry.
