Happy Norouz (Iranian New Year 1393)

My favourite time of the year is here again. Another year has passed us so quickly. This year has definitely been eventful and filled with memories that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful for everything that has happened this year, for everything my family and friends have done for me. I always like to look back at the highs and lows of the year, it always seems to determine and motivate how we act in the future.

We Iranians do not tend to rely on New Years resolutions, instead we follow tradition and learn from those who have been teaching us what's right and wrong our entire lives, our loved ones. Throughout my entire life, I have always celebrated Norouz with my family. Regardless of where we were living, what time of the day/night Norouz would take place and how busy we were. We would always gather around, even for a split second. That second of silence marks a new beginning in all our lives. 1392 was an amazing year and a lot has changed. But I am eager to learn what 1393 has in store for me and everyone I care about.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Norouz celebration, allow me to explain things very briefly. Iranians celebrate the new year on the first day of spring, at the exact second the eart goes back to it's original place. We also set up a table with the 'Haft Sins'. Haft sin is also a tradition that has been carried on from the Zoroastrian era which includes seven things that start with 'sin' (S in Farsi). Each sin represents something that should be included in your upcoming year. What I love most about Norouz is how the streets are filled with all the elements you need for the haft sin, how everyone is wishing strangers a happy new year and how relatives who have hardly seen each other visit one another to share memories on this joyous occasion.  

This time of year is when all Iranians flee their city/country and go somewhere new during the 13 day holiday period. But in my opinion, the best place to be during the Norouz celebrations is Tehran. The streets are empty, the weather is once again clean. It really is a fresh start. What better way to start the spring season?

I wish you all a happy Norouz. A year filled with love, laughter and happiness. Have a great year!

Happy Birthday Pain Oh Chocolat

Paris, France
2012

Can you believe that it has been over a year since the launch of Pain Oh Chocolat? Because I certainly can't. It has been a crazy year and this blog has definitely changed things for me. It has given me the confidence to share my work and opinions with you. Beforehand, I was always too shy to show any of the photographs I had taken over the years. With the launch of this blog, those photos are now available to you rather than being trapped in an iPhoto album on my laptop! The blog has also helped me develop my own sense of style - both in fashion and in writing. It has made me push myself to work harder and achieve what I desire.

I had been wanting to start a blog for months and yet always came up with an excuse not to (too much homework, not enough time... the usual!). But with the help and support of my mother, we decided to start thinking of a blog name. This took me a good few days (even weeks). I had spent the previous summer in Paris studying fashion photography at the Parsons Paris School of Art and Design and so I wanted a blog name that would represent my time in France. I came up with so many different names that represented Paris but did not represent me at the same time. Luckily one night, me and my mother were brainstorming names and when I told her what I wanted for the blog name, she suggested something to do with pain au chocolat - seeing as it is one of my favourite pastries and my mother and I shared a tradition of having them every Saturday when I was a little girl. I remember telling her that I liked the concept but it is too simplistic and does not have a twist. My mother then suggested that I could play around with the name. For example Pain O'Chocolat. And that's when the way of writing the blog name came to me. I started the blog that same night (on the 3rd of March 2013) and the rest is history...

I know I'm always being optimistic, but I do believe that this blog will open many doors for me in the future. It is my portfolio and my way of communicating with different people - from loved ones to strangers. I aim to commit to it fully in the future once I have completed my time at university. I look forward to the future opportunities, but for now I am going to take the process and development of this blog one years at a time.

London Fashion Week AW14

My favourite time of the year has come and gone in the space of only five day. For five days, Londoners as well as other fashionistas from all around the world primp and prep themselves for a week filled with excitement, suspense and surprises. I love London Fashion Week (LFW) as I have always been the type of person who had to know how the future would be set. It is truly fascinating to me that in the short spam of five days, the 120 hours that pass us by ever so quickly can set amazing trends for two seasons ahead. I have yet to attend New York, Milan and Paris Fashion Week(s), but my heart will always melt for the fashion sense the incredible stylish Brits show the world each and every day. With England facing many, many rainy days, I always enjoy following how different Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter fashion could be - despite the lack of change in weather. That goes to show the London knows a thing or two about variation, even if its weather system does not.

I had the privilege of attending many shows this season and being able to sit front row in all of them was just the cherry on top. Despite the fact that I was very ill most of the time, I still managed to pull it together, wear my favourite outfits and my highest heels (yes they were painful). I used the opportunity to do some photography/videography so I could share them with you, my wonderful readers. Throughout the past week, I have been thinking about how far I have come when it comes to my love of fashion. It was only four years ago when I was attending London Fashion Weekend and thinking that I was about to enter a world that I never thought I'd gain access to. A year later I attended my very first LFW. Although I did not have an invitation to any shows, I still went to the showrooms and continuously took photos and notes. I thought that this was it, I could not go any further than this. I always imagined attending fashion shows but that was only a dream I dreamt of almost every night. I could not be more wrong, I have been attending fashion shows for over a year now and with Pain Oh Chocolat's first birthday coming up I could not be grateful for everything that has happened. My personal style has definitely evolved throughout the process. Being directly involved in the industry definitely changes your style, your knowledge and your personality - for the good that is. I look forward to the many more fashion weeks I plan on attending, the many trends I shall follow and the numerous articles I shall deliver to you.

This opportunity would not be possible without the support of Rtister. I would like to thank them for all the doors they have opened for me. I look forward to the future of your company as well as this blog.

Pandemonia

Kiev Fashion Days

Kiev Fashion Days

Kiev Fashion Days

Day two outfit
Shirt: Zara
Skirt: Dahlia
Handbag: Zara
Bracelet: Hipanema
Shoes: Dolce and Gabbana 

Pandemonia

Veronica Basharatyan

Veronica Basharatyan

Veronica Basharatyan

Veronica Basharatyan

Mami Fasi

Mami Fasi

Day three outfit
Boots: Armani
Jeans: Frame
Cape: Anya
Sweater: Zara
Necklace: William Askew
Handbag: Louis Vuitton

Friday Favourites

I am happy to announce that my dissertation has been handed in (well, it was handed in two weeks ago but I needed some time to recover). I have decided to dedicate this post to three videos that have made my week - all of which hit close to home; taking me down memory lane. Throughout the past seven days, I have been hearing about the heavy amount of snow that has turned Iran's sky from the polluted black to a clean slate, covered in snowflakes. The heavy amount of snow has made me reminisce childhood memories. Although it has been difficult to be away from my home country during one of my favourite times of the year, the wonderful videos and photos shared from everyone back home has made being away more bearable.

The first video below which includes footage of an extremely talented young man playing the violin in the streets of Tehran has reminded me of all the times I have would hear such beautiful melodies from my living room window. From the freezing winter weather to the unbearable summer heat, Iranian's do not use excuses when it comes to sharing art and passion. No matter where you live in Iran, no matter what time of the day or night it is, you will hear a variety of songs such as the classical melody of 'Elaheye Naaz' played on the accordion and/or violin. I hope you guys enjoy this video, it has definitely inspired me for future projects...

                          

The second video in this post is a recent music video by a Venezuelan band shot in Tehran. Iran is now considered to be a tourism destination for 2014. With the variation of portrayal of Iran in the media, I thought it would be best to use this blog post to let you wonderful readers know what Iran is really like. From the scenes shot in Tehran's Grand Bazaar to Azadi Square, Iran offers a wide range of unique opportunities. I don't know about you, but I love collaborations. They are very inspirational to me, and this video not only offers an amazingly catchy song from one side of the world, but also provides scenic footages from the another side.

                    

The third video also portrays only a glimpse of Iran in the space of two minutes. It has been made and edited so beautifully that I could not resist to share. I hope all of the videos in this post will give you a better understanding of my country, its people and our culture. With me being such a news junkie, I have been made aware that Iran is facing an dramatic increase in the quantity of tourists entering the country with the majority of its hotels fully booked for the next five months. To those of you who are planning on visiting Iran, I hope you enjoy every minute of it... 

                    

I know this blog post is not fashion related which is what Pain Oh Chocolat's original aim and drive was. However, as I have mentioned in my previous posts, I have plans to take this blog to the next level and make it unique. So to all the fashionistas, I would like to say: be patient, London Fashion Week is only a week away. There will be upcoming posts in relation to that topic. Until then, happy Friday and have a great weekend.

Xo

From Bām to Bazaar

My dissertation was not the only cause of my sleep deprivation for the last few weeks. I have been working on a few video projects. One of which was made to thank everyone back in Iran for all the memories I will always treasure. The footage from the video were shot between the years 2011-13 in places ranging from Tehran to Urmia. I hope to return one day and document more memories and I hope you guys enjoy the video...

Xo