Nima Behnoud
Encyclopedia
Nima Behnoud is an Iranian fashion designer based in New York City
. He is the first fashion designer who implemented Persian calligraphy
in a form of clothing.
, and its northern suburbs, where a large middle class had settled in; the time period was during the late 80’s shortly after the war had ended.
Nima began, wearing what he was buying and altering, to the parties that took place in the underground scene of Northern Tehran. This became not only an outlet of youthful energy, but also a plat-
form for experimentation. Nima and his friends started crashing parties and squeezing their way into as many social settings as they could, just to show off their work. Not having any formal training in fashion design or consistent supply of material, they used what was available and incorporated them into their fabrics, items such as spray paint, studs, stitches, pins and etc. In 1994 he left Iran
for San Francisco to study art and design. Soon after his arrival in the bay area, he began working with several design firms, and in the summer of 1997 he landed an opportunity to work at “ Colortone ” design firm, the design house that produced the world famous apple computer
campaign, “think different.” By this time, he had developed an interest in advertising design and fashion
, and in 1998 was hired as an art director at “ Jamison Cawdrey Advertising” where he experienced the fashion industry firsthand by art directing photo shoots, and campaigns for a fashion brands.
He soon found that California did not quench his thirst for fashion and design, and in the winter of 1999 moved to New York City, where he now calls home.After his arrival in New York he started working for Publicis as a Senior Art Director. In the East Coast he recognized that there is whole lot more in fashion and design, and that formal training and knowledge of classical styles, can further expand one’s vision.
Nima enrolled in Fashion Institute of Technology
(FIT) and restarted his graphic experimentation on fabric, where he had left off years earlier in Tehran. He began an experiment that proved to be a key element for his future designs. That is mixing elements of the old world and drawing them onto a modern canvas. This was the printing of Persian motifs and stamps onto stretched canvases and drawing around them. But soon Nima
found the canvas of an artist stretched around a frame is limiting for him, since he did not have the patience of waiting for someone to allow him a show at an art gallery. This was the cause for the return to an old hobby, print and draw onto T-shirts and wear them to elite parties, similar to what was done in Tehran, but instead it was in New York City
the fashion hub of North America.
By expanding on that same idea by 2004 a production team was put together and the first series of NIMANY T-shirts were produced. This process included hand picking the garments at various stores and vintage shops, opening and re-stitching the cuts, dying the colors through a chemical process and silk screening quotes of Persian poets such as Hafez
and Rumi. By stacking poems and graphics on top of each other, new gripping patterns were created; patterns that did not state any particular literal message, rather displaying the beauty of Persian typography on a garment. This first line sold out immediately and was a motivating factor for Nima to design new styles.
It is interesting to note that Nima is the son of the prominent Iranian journalist and political dissident Masoud Behnoud, and some of his designs include such phrases as “all political prisoners must be freed.” But while Nima says he is not interested in politics, the calligraphy provides a striking design element.
Today Nima and his team are involved with every aspect of production that a piece of garment goes through, and they maintain an m.o that is important to them, which is to keep each garment individual, thus the owner of each work holds one unique piece. Today celebrities such as Heidi Klum
, Nicky Hilton
, Jim Carrey
, Pras
of Fugees and Kevin Spacey
wear these T-Shirts and major publications including Vogue
, Maxim
, Washington Times have written about NIMANY.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He is the first fashion designer who implemented Persian calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
in a form of clothing.
Biography
The concept of hand crafted clothing started when as teenagers Nima and his friends would take Levis Jeans and other garments and draw, write and alter them to their taste. Some of these items were obtained in the black market, thus making it harder and more expensive to continue such experiments. The place was TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, and its northern suburbs, where a large middle class had settled in; the time period was during the late 80’s shortly after the war had ended.
Nima began, wearing what he was buying and altering, to the parties that took place in the underground scene of Northern Tehran. This became not only an outlet of youthful energy, but also a plat-
form for experimentation. Nima and his friends started crashing parties and squeezing their way into as many social settings as they could, just to show off their work. Not having any formal training in fashion design or consistent supply of material, they used what was available and incorporated them into their fabrics, items such as spray paint, studs, stitches, pins and etc. In 1994 he left Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
for San Francisco to study art and design. Soon after his arrival in the bay area, he began working with several design firms, and in the summer of 1997 he landed an opportunity to work at “ Colortone ” design firm, the design house that produced the world famous apple computer
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
campaign, “think different.” By this time, he had developed an interest in advertising design and fashion
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
, and in 1998 was hired as an art director at “ Jamison Cawdrey Advertising” where he experienced the fashion industry firsthand by art directing photo shoots, and campaigns for a fashion brands.
He soon found that California did not quench his thirst for fashion and design, and in the winter of 1999 moved to New York City, where he now calls home.After his arrival in New York he started working for Publicis as a Senior Art Director. In the East Coast he recognized that there is whole lot more in fashion and design, and that formal training and knowledge of classical styles, can further expand one’s vision.
Nima enrolled in Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology, generally known as FIT, is a State University of New York college of art, business, design, and technology connected to the fashion industry, with an urban campus located on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of...
(FIT) and restarted his graphic experimentation on fabric, where he had left off years earlier in Tehran. He began an experiment that proved to be a key element for his future designs. That is mixing elements of the old world and drawing them onto a modern canvas. This was the printing of Persian motifs and stamps onto stretched canvases and drawing around them. But soon Nima
found the canvas of an artist stretched around a frame is limiting for him, since he did not have the patience of waiting for someone to allow him a show at an art gallery. This was the cause for the return to an old hobby, print and draw onto T-shirts and wear them to elite parties, similar to what was done in Tehran, but instead it was in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
the fashion hub of North America.
By expanding on that same idea by 2004 a production team was put together and the first series of NIMANY T-shirts were produced. This process included hand picking the garments at various stores and vintage shops, opening and re-stitching the cuts, dying the colors through a chemical process and silk screening quotes of Persian poets such as Hafez
Hafez
Khwāja Shamsu d-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī , known by his pen name Hāfez , was a Persian lyric poet. His collected works composed of series of Persian poetry are to be found in the homes of most Iranians, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day...
and Rumi. By stacking poems and graphics on top of each other, new gripping patterns were created; patterns that did not state any particular literal message, rather displaying the beauty of Persian typography on a garment. This first line sold out immediately and was a motivating factor for Nima to design new styles.
It is interesting to note that Nima is the son of the prominent Iranian journalist and political dissident Masoud Behnoud, and some of his designs include such phrases as “all political prisoners must be freed.” But while Nima says he is not interested in politics, the calligraphy provides a striking design element.
Today Nima and his team are involved with every aspect of production that a piece of garment goes through, and they maintain an m.o that is important to them, which is to keep each garment individual, thus the owner of each work holds one unique piece. Today celebrities such as Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum
Heidi Samuel , better known by her birth name Heidi Klum, is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer. In 2008 she became an American citizen while maintaining her native German citizenship...
, Nicky Hilton
Nicky Hilton
Nicholai Olivia "Nicky" Hilton is an American businesswoman, fashion model, socialite, celebutante, heiress and fashion designer. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton and younger sister of Paris Hilton....
, Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
, Pras
Pras
Prakazrel Samuel Michel, known as Pras, is a Grammy Award-winning Haitian-American rapper, actor, film producer, and member of the hip hop trio The Fugees.-Early life:...
of Fugees and Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey, CBE is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television...
wear these T-Shirts and major publications including Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
, Maxim
Maxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
, Washington Times have written about NIMANY.
Sources
- http://www.theculturalconnect.com/magazines/mideast/2007-02-12/pro
- http://onlineathens.com/stories/081306/living_20060813009.shtml
- http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/279522_tshirt01.html
- http://lifecomsa.blogspot.com/2008_04_30_archive.html