Bahar Alipour

Bahar Alipour, one of this year’s London College of Fashion BA graduates, designed a complex and immaculately tailored collection. Inspired by traditional Sardinian culture and their menswear in particular, she translated her influences into the material form of contemporary fashion effortlessly and she is sure to grow into a master designer.

Looking at your collection in person, I was really surprised how well the jackets and trousers were constructed – it didn't look like a BA collection! Is tailoring something you have been interested in since you started designing?
Yes, I have always been interested in tailoring and creative pattern cutting. Before LCF I studied at the Academy of Cutting and Tailoring in Stockholm, so I come from a tailoring background. I think it’s really important to keep the tradition of cutting when designing. It completes the garments and gives them the high quality that I believe all clothes should have.

What led you to use hats and snoods for the styling?
It was part of the inspiration from Sardinia, traditionally they wear hats at a sharp angle with balaclavas underneath. The styling was very much a part of the collection: the layering of garments on top of each other crucially completed each look.

What would you like to achieve in your studies at CSM MA?
I would like to continue developing my designs, although I am very picky and never happy. But it is a great course and I think I can learn so much from Louise Wilson. The course has some great people from the industry, I am sure it will help me to develop my skills.

Any vision for your future?
Eventually, I want to start my own brand, but for now I am taking it one day at the time.

Credits:

Photography: Billy Ballard
Text and Styling: Nobuko Tannawa
All Clothes Bahar Alipour
Hair: Mari Ohashi using Kiehl’s
Make-up and manicure: Zoe Taylor using MAC
Re-touching: Regina Limon Vega
Model: Wanessa Milhomem @ Select
Photographic assistant: Rob Low
Make-up assistant Lauren Wall
Special Thanks to: Mark Loy Director of Spring Studios, Spring Lighting and Spring Digital

After assisting stylist Joanna Schlenzka for three years, Nobuko Tannawa is now a freelance fashion stylist. She grew up in Tokyo and New York

Billy Ballard grew up in the Midlands thinking he was going to be a scientist. He is currently living in East London, working as a freelance photographic assistant