Bahareh Ardakani translated the sculptural construction of her “The Folded Sea” couture collection into wearable, earth-toned day-to-night pieces for her second ready-to-wear outing.
Her obsession with geometry is evident throughout her work, from the inverted pleats of a cashmere cape to the sculptural folds of knitwear and the seams of swishy skirts, each line and angle is calculated to balance form, movement and mathematical precision — even down to the A-shaped tip on her footwear.
A standout was a camel coat, embroidered with fractal-inspired motifs echoing ArdAzAei’s sea urchin signature, which was sculpted at the hip for a shapely silhouette.
The palette was warm and earthy, a departure from her signature lilac, grounding the collection in ochre, chocolate and black. Layering, directional pleats and origami-inspired folds elevated daywear into statement pieces, while cocktail dresses and leather separates hinted at semi-couture construction.
“Entering the world of ready-to-wear is quite a challenge, so I try to simplify as much as possible,” she said, distilling shapes and fabrics to create the luxury of ease evident in soft knits. She used jersey to explore couture draping techniques in a more casual and body-conscious way. “Sometimes it becomes personal, like, what would I love to wear?”
Through her work on brand imagery for its soon-to-be-released first ad campaign, Ardakani said has clarified her vision of the ArdAzAei woman as a customer with integrity, a respect for craftsmanship, sustainability and a cool, sophisticated edge.
For Ardakani, sustainability remains central to her mission to build ArdAzAei into a full maison.
Nearly half the collection carries GOTS certification, from organic wools to socially responsible processing. The new atelier above the Paris boutique allows clients to meet the seamstresses and watch pieces evolve, reinforcing the brand’s philosophy that care and craft are the biggest part of luxury.
The bulk of the business is still private clients, but Ardakani continues to build through “careful choices,” she said. ArdAzAei will fully launch e-commerce in two weeks, giving a wider audience access to the brand, and is currently in discussions with key wholesalers.
