Airin Samadi ‘s modern designs are inspired by the ancient beauty of her Kurdish heritage.
Words: Atusa Alexandra Mo Photos: Berivan+Shwan
Berivan + Shwan is an Australian ready-to-wear fashion brand designed and created by Airin Samadi, a vibrant young soul from Kurdistan, Iran.
She moved to Adelaide with her family fifteen years ago to pursue her dream of becoming a creative artist. Her first foray was in architecture but she now channels her passion for fashion into Berivan + Shwan, named for two Kurdish cultural figures and inspired by her heritage.
By definition Shwan refers to a ‘shepherd’ and Berivan to a ‘milkmaid’. But in Kurdish culture these names also represent a sense of balance. A kind of Yin and Yang.
There is a sense of balance in Airin’s designs. She says her biggest inspiration and muse however, is Berivan, ‘the woman’.
“Coming from a family of curvy women,” she says, “I could always feel that women in my life are not as confident as they should be while getting dressed so I made it my mission to design clothes in which women can feel confident and beautiful”
Culturally influenced details sprung from Airin’s heritage; variants of the fabric and colour or traditional Kurdish costume for example, are everywhere in her first collection.
She combines feminine cuts over sharp tailoring, and balances patterns and a colour palette inspired by mountains nature and neutral hues.
Frills are a signature feature, also inspired by Kurdish costume. Knotted straps in tailored jackets and pants are drawn from a Kurdish traditional knot. “My fashion mantra,” Airin says simply, “Is that there is a cut and colour for everyone.”
Shop Airin’s first collection for Berivan+Shwan at www.Berivanshwan.com
