Though he's just completed his sophomore year at Episcopal High School, 17-year-old Amir Taghi already has his eyes on establishing a long fashion career. The focused teenager presented his second collection of women's ready-to-wear clothing at his parent's Tanglewood home last month and it showcased his evolving style.
"Last year, it was more for play," Taghi says about the debut of his first collection in spring 2012, with a full-scale runway show in the backyard of the family home. "This year, it's more for the consumer. The collection is playful and young, but it's more classic. I can see the women around me wearing (these clothes)."
Among the 18 looks he presented were delicate cocktail dresses with French lace trim for fall — think Audrey Hepburn in Charade — and tiered gowns and cocktail dresses in bright fuchsia for spring.
Taghi attended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February, where he was inspired by the fall collections designed by Monique Lhuillier and Carmen Marc Valvo. Also heavily influenced by classic designers like Hubert Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta, Taghi presented a collection that was surprisingly polished and sophisticated, particularly coming from someone so young.
Among the 18 looks he showed were a delicate satin gabardine cocktail dresses in ivory and black with French lace trim for fall — think Audrey Hepburn in Charade — and tiered gowns and cocktail dresses in bright fuchsia for spring. The collection is available online and through Tootsies, he says.
Taghi admits that combining school work with designing a fashion collection is demanding. "But I find a way to do it," he says. "It's just such a passion for me."
He expects to learn a lot this summer as an intern with de la Renta in New York. He will work with the designer's close-knit team, including Houstonian Noelle Sakowitz, who is director of textiles development at the fabled fashion house.
On hand to cheer Taghi on at the presentation were his parents, Fariba and Iraj Taghi, uncle Ali Taghi and cousins Hasti Taghi and Maryam Afshari, along with Divya Brown, Mehrnaz Gill, Danielle Cullen, Lauren White, Carolyn Farb, Roz Pactor, and designer David Peck, who manufactures Taghi's designs here in Houston.
Zari Rassouli, from left, Tata Mechanic, Maryam Tavakoli, Firouzeh Magazei and Sherry Tajvari
The boldest style is the Abbie Boot, which has an extended and scalloped front. According to the release, the embroidery is inspired by bluebonnets.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott
The Sarah Boot moves the scalloping to the embroidery and features the same moon phase designs over the foot.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott
The men's boots are simpler and look more work-ready, although this suede begs to differ.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott