SEPEHR MAGHSOUDI, FASHION DESIGNER

The dream is central and the impossible becomes possible. A man who came to the Netherlands from Persia as a young man, never gave up and ignored the skeptics. Fashion designer Sepehr Maghsoudi will show his creations at Masters of LXRY during the Love Edition in December and tells LXRY how he reached the top. Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Sepehr Maghsoudi

What was your very first job?

“As a teenager I worked as a stocker in a supermarket and aspired to a career in architecture. When I told a teacher at school that I wanted to be an architect, he laughed and said, 'That's impossible.' This teacher didn't like it because I came from Persia at the age of 12, had the lowest level of education and still had difficulty speaking the language. I was extremely motivated to achieve something and had four dictionaries in my backpack that I took with me every day. From the lowest level, I eventually obtained my MAVO diploma, studied Construction - Architecture and did an internship at two architectural firms. But a switch came: I wanted to become a fashion designer and was accepted at AMFI.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“My aunt and uncles also worked in the fashion industry and my father had his own clothing line. It's in my blood. After the AMFI, I decided to set up my own line in 2008 and the industry said that I was better off working for someone than starting my own. It would be too difficult. In 2010 I participated in Project Catwalk and the Netherlands got to know me. Now, eleven years later, I now have twenty collections to my name and I sell worldwide.”

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“My mentor was the Dutch influential fashion designer Edgar Vos. Edgar supported and gave me advice during my couture competition days. Unfortunately he passed away in 2010, a great loss. In addition to Edgar, Frans Molenaar was also an important mentor to whom I showed my collections. The two gentlemen taught me that fashion discipline is extremely serious and that as a designer I should appreciate my own work and not make creations for nothing.”

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“That I can create and make a whole design from nothing. It is not just a collection, it is a feeling of passion and love for craftsmanship that I share.”

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

“I learn every day. I have a lot ups and downs over the past ten years, where I learned so much through the difficult moments and met beautiful and sweet people. There has not been one learning moment in my life, it is a continuous learning moment.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

“Everything will work out in the end! You don't have to stress, everything will work out just fine. Even though certain things seem impossible, change the mindset making the impossible possible.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“I teach eighteen young designers who are super talented. Based on my experience and profession, I help designers to progress in their careers. Some have started their own line. I teach them that anything is possible as long as they work hard enough for it. It is also important that people who put them down are not listened to. By following the heart they get where they want to be.”

An overview is available until October 27 Sepehrs couture collections to admire in Hoorn. With the crowd-puller “Atmosphere”, his latest work of art. Which shows that hard work to make your dreams come true pays off.