Time
Sepehr Maghsoudi Opens Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week with a Spiritual Show
The Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week 2024 kicked off in spectacular fashion as Persian designer Sepehr Maghsoudi unveiled his twenty-fifth couture collection, “Time,” in the iconic Posthoorn Church in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening.
On a warm, autumnal evening, the audience stepped into a spiritual realm. Maghsoudi welcomed guests with a calm, meditative voice, dressed in a flowing white robe and seated in a lotus position. The space was cleansed with sage, and attendees were invited to open their hearts by closing their eyes, taking deep breaths, and sipping ceremonial cacao. “The cacao ceremony is a ritual that connects you with your intuition and opens your heart,” he explained. “It helps you become aware of your thoughts.” Maghsoudi aimed to have his audience experience his collection in an environment imbued with tranquility and purity.
Maghsoudi’s creations carry a message of positivity, and this was emphasized by the unique presentation of his collection, which was far from a typical fashion show. The event featured a live rendition of a mantra—a combination of prayer, medicine, and sound meant to elevate positive energy. Guided by the rhythm of the mantra, barefoot models moved in a floating march through the church. The ethereal white designs transformed the models into celestial warriors. Male models donned blazer-like armor, and their heads were adorned with golden glitter. While Maghsoudi typically designs for both men and women, he decided to focus solely on menswear for this collection, drawn by the strength of the sketches laid out before him.
It Begins with a Spiritual Journey: Sepehr Maghsoudi Unveils Couture Collection “Time”
Beyond spreading positivity, the Persian designer seeks to break taboos. During the show, one model painted every pristine white creation with red and blue powder while being pushed back and forth—a symbolic struggle between expression and depression.
Red and blue together form purple, a color associated with trusting one’s intuition in spiritual traditions. Purple was chosen as an accent throughout the decor, symbolizing creativity and connection with one’s inner self. The second half of the collection introduced vibrant designs where blue, pink, and silver took center stage. These bold looks made powerful statements: some models wore knitted balaclavas, glittered underwear layered over trousers, and others theatrically tore the balaclavas off to resounding applause. One striking piece showcased a model trapped within the garment, their arms bound to a long blue silhouette. Yet, the painted eye mask on their face reflected the willpower to break free from inner captivity.
The audience absorbed these messages enthusiastically, applauding every design. When Maghsoudi stepped back onto the stage with all his creations, cheers erupted, and the show transformed into a jubilant spiritual celebration. Themes of self-rejection versus self-acceptance, envy versus love, depression versus expression, and greed versus generosity permeated the event—positivity emerging victorious every time.