They are making appearances at these locations this month :
- Chicago, Illinois | Neiman Marcus, Michigan Ave Tues Oct 14
- Chicaco, Illinois | Neiman Marcus, Northbrook Wed Oct 15
- Toronto, Ontario (Canada) | Holt Renfrew Fri&Sat Oct 17-18
and then several Neiman Marcus locations in California Oct 22-25
schedules listed in their website
With traditional shapes and an aesthetic that focuses on ease,
Eskandar brings a cool culture to his relaxed followers.
02:44 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 25, 2007
BY DAVID NINH / The Dallas Morning News
LAWRENCE JENKINS / Special Contributor
While some designers in the fashion industry look straight ahead for the next big thing or toy with futuristic themes, Teheran-born designer Eskandar Nabavi harks exclusively to the past - one that brings to mind Moroccan robes, peasant skirts and layers of long scarves. He first attracted attention in the 1990s with his knitwear, which eventually grew into a full-fledged label that includes women’s and men’s wear, as well as a small children’s line wittily dubbed “Eskinder”. His signature fashion line is made for everyone of all shapes and sizes. Using fabrics such as silk and antique linen, Eskandar creates fashionable pieces that are relaxed, play with volume and brings a touch of old-world culture to the wearer (‘English Patient’ chic comes to my mind).
We stopped by Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center recently to visit with the designer, who was keeping busy running around helping his customers in the fitting room. He took a short break to chat with us about his spring line and his influences.
F!D:Can you talk about your background a bit and how you got started?
Eskandar: I grew up in the Middle East when it was a fantastic place to live. I’m not trained at all in fashion. I’m completely self-taught. My grandmother taught me how to knit when I was about 11 and I was always making things - learned how to sew, crochet - and wanted to sell them. So my business side and artistic side were always intertwined. I studied geography at university in England and whenever I became bored, I would knit and make sweaters. Friends started to buy them and it grew from there. I started off as just a knitwear company about 12 years ago and then the president of Bergdorf Goodman discovered me in London and my clothes eventually went into Neiman Marcus and the rest is history…and here we are!
F!D:The Eskandar customer seems to like her clothes roomy with some volume and your aesthetic seems to go against what a lot of people in fashion love, which is tight and form-fitting.
Eskandar:The line has a huge following. There’s not a specific shape or size of our customer. She’s artsy, slightly forward and doesn’t want to follow trends or follow fashion - wants to be an individual. The clothes have evolved from traditional influences from all over the world. I do a great Japanese pant. I do Moroccan robes, dresses, and peasant layer skirts. It’s taking shapes that have been around for centuries and turning them into something modern and wearable. Traditional clothes have never really been tight or fitted - on the whole traditional clothes are loose and free flowing.
F!D:What are you influenced by? You obviously travel to a lot of exotic places.
Eskandar:Its having been brought up in the Middle East and following my parents - who were big travelers. I also love playing with fabrics as well. I don’t like to credit myself as a fashion designer. What I do isn’t really fashion - it’s more interpreting shapes and using fantastic fabrics.
F!D: Your fabrics tend to be really easy and soft - linens, silks and cashmeres. What else do you like to play with?
Eskandar:I started off with just knits. And when people wanted more, I would throw in one pant shape, one shirt shape and that evolved into multiple colors. I’ll do things like collect old sari fabrics and antique linen fabrics and cut them into shapes. I’ll find old French sheets that have actual hand monograms and elaborate initials, which meant the families who previously owned them were really wealthy. I’m always collecting and finding things - objects. I love old things and taking old shapes and taking old fabrics and turning them into something new.
F!D:We always ask designers who come through town what they think of Dallas women and their customers here. There are a lot of women here at the store to see you!
Eskandar:The Dallas women I meet are fantastic! They aren’t that into fashion. They are more easy and down-to-earth and always attract ladies who are slightly quirky and love putting things together in different ways. They are all world-travelers so they like my clothes because they are easy to travel with, great for holiday and you can easily dress it up. My spring collection has a lot detail work, like embroidery on linen and cropped pants with embroidery. There are lots of scarves and accessories and I’ve also done a big collection of linen denim.
F!D: Where else do you travel for inspiration?
Eskandar:I’m always on a plane and always have the same seat on every British Airways flight. I just went to the Neiman Marcus in Scottsdale (Arizona) and spent time in Paradise Valley and loved it! I still travel to the Middle East - there is so much culture and fashion and old traditional shapes that really influence me strongly. I’m also a big art and photography collector. I get a lot of energy when I’m in New York, where we also have a boutique. My true passion is antiques. I can spend days looking around the big antique markets in the outskirts of Paris.
They also have a line for homeware
His manner is so subtle at first you might not notice, but once you get into it I think you get curious for more. The clothes don't grab you until you run your hands over the fabrics or try them on... I take the same impression in this glass, the wood, the calming material+shapes he is fond of using... I think I'd prefer to live right in the shop...
from apartmenttherapy
Eskandar: Organic Modern Homeware 35 East 10th Street
New York, NY
212.533.4200
While Eskandar is primarily a clothing company, it is his Homeware line that drew us in. Beautiful glassware, silver, bedding, candles and bowls are all a shopaholics opium, but worth a visit. Antiques and new items are on display. The look is simple, clean and organic modern with a cozy rustic flair.
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