You may remember seeing looks from Ali Taghavi’s first eponymous line in The Women’s Mafia Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Show. What you may not know is that you probably have purchased or perused an Ali Taghavi design in a store near you. One of the fashion industry’s favorite Design Directors and a versatile, go-to collaborator for more than two decades, Taghavi’s career has included manning top fashion houses as a design director for men’s and women’s styles at Oscar De La Renta, TSE Cashmere, Weatherproof and the Limited.
Taghavi will be offering personal style, cut and fitting consultations to guests of The Women’s Mafia Insider’s Lounge: A Highly Productive Day At The Spa on Saturday Dec. 5th from 3-7pm. RSVP to Marcy@womensmafia.com to reserve at 20 minute appointment with Taghavi and enjoy an exclusive Q&A below to get inside the design guru’s head!
Women’s Mafia: For over two decades you have moved up the ranks to become a top design 
director and you now own an eponymous label. How do maintain your own vision and style and keep current every year?
AT: It does require staying focused at all times to maintain awareness of all trends. I follow cultural events, art exhibitions, movies and the music world. Most importantly, I always talk and listen to women to address their needs. As our culture evolves, needs and desires change too. I think, as a designer, it is important for me to be aware of this.
WM: When did you realize you could make your passion your career? Where were you living at the time and what influences were around you?
AT: It goes back so far that I can’t even tell at what age I started drawing people in clothing and costumes. I remember helping my mother make her own clothes, and at some point I started altering some of the patterns to change the design of dresses. My mother was a great influence in my life she always encouraged me by helping me make dolls with period costumes – when I was only 8 years old!
WM: What advice would you give a young fashionista looking to break into the world of fashion and move up to its top ranks?
AT: It is key to remember to maintain creativity and awareness of people’s needs at all times. People have to feel good about themselves and special when they wear a garment. I’m always listening to feedback from my models and clients on how the clothes make them feel.
WM: What energizes you?
AT: I am motivated by life around me! Seeing any form of creativity, from paintings to architecture, can energize and inspire me.
WM: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?
AT: Women’s Mafia members are very influential. Come to my atelier and my events and help me and my clothes become recognizable to women!
WM: Lastly, I happen to know that although you can seem quite dignified you have a 
delightfully contagious wild streak – what is the wildest/bravest thing you’ve ever done?
AT: I have an immense fear of heights, so it was a great triumph for me when I was 17 and hiked up a mountain in the alps. Challenging yourself helps you stay fearless!
LINK LOVE: Ali Taghavi
Ali Taghavi
Founder, Ali Taghavi New York
Ali Taghavi is a visionary designer known throughout the industry for his decisively keen eye for texture, detailed construction, sought-after color stories and identifying and designing new materials. One of the fashion industry’s favorite Design Directors and a versatile, go-to collaborator for more than two decades, Taghavi’s career has included manning top fashion houses as a design director for men’s and women’s styles at Oscar De La Renta, TSE Cashmere, Weatherproof and the limited.
Taghavi was born in Iran and studied at top boarding schools England and then earned a degree in Fashion and Art at University of Brighton. Upon graduation Taghavi moved directly to New York where he shot up the ranks as a prized designer for Robert Stock, Evan Piccone, Jennifer Reed, Ryan Kenney and Jeffrey Banks. A materials and knitwear specialist, Taghavi has created several highly successful knitwear collections, which have included sold-out creations for DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Jeffrey Banks, Liz Claiborne, Express, The Gap, Nautica and many more multi-million dollar businesses. A key to Taghavi’s success is his immense technical knowledge and his ability to create signature fabrics that stood out in the textile industry for their variable surface interest.
Now running two eponymous labels, Ali Taghavi Fashion and Ali Taghavi Jewlery, Taghavi is enjoying the fruits of his experience. Ali Taghavi’s inaugural Spring/Summer 2010 collection includes exquisitely tailored dresses, jackets and separates that are extremely wearable, beautifully constructed, sensuously fitted and timelessly sophisticated. His Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2010 collections will cement his reputation as one of America’s most talented and tasteful designers