While his classmates at Houston's Episcopal High School were starting their senior year, Amir Taghi was prepping for one of the most important moments in his young life: presenting a collection at New York Fashion Week.
At the Helen Mills Event Space, a small studio in New York's Garment District, the 18-year-old designer made his national fashion debut with a polished collection in mostly pastel shades, although a fuchsia tuxedo jacket with a plunging neckline and cigarette pants really stood out among the lighter tones. Taghi described his collection as "very minimalist and fierce and sexy at the same time," with references to Bianca Jagger's tuxedo look of the late '70s, long before he was born.
"It's a new direction for me," he said.
The collection was dotted with short shorts in metallic satin or lace, crops tops, and dresses with banded gold belts or nifty crystal embellishment along the back. The closing number featured an ivory jumpsuit with lace pants that bordered between intriguing and puzzling.
All in all, it was a nice first effort on the big stage, although the show was marred by inept organizers who left many standing in a long line in the broiling sun and, once inside, were told to stand in the back while the front row remained empty until seconds before the show started.
Taghi, an emerging designer who showed a collection at Fashion Houston last fall, said he didn't expect make his New York Fashion Week debut so early in his career, but he changed his mind when a producer asked him to participate. "It's a dream come true," Taghi said.
Coming from Houston to lend their support were Taghi's proud parents, Iraj and Farbi Taghi; his cousin, Maryam Afshari, and her boyfriend, James Khreibani; Episcopal classmate Sassy Smith and her mother, Mary Stanton Smith; and Roz Pactor, Yolanda Washington, Bee Mandelberg and Joshua Styles. Carrie Colbert received kudos for her red Taghi-designed skirt and beaded top, which she accessorized with an eye-catching clutch bearing her name.
Carrie Colbert wore an Amir Taghi design to his runway show and accessoried it with a clutch bearing her name.
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