Fashion is Freedom: A Girl from Tehran and Her Rise to the Runway

Fashion designer Raassi recounts her journey from Iran, where she was a rebellious teenager pining for artistic expression, to the U.S., where she created her swimwear line, Dar Be Dar. The book begins in 1998 with a startling account of her 16th birthday party, when Raassi was arrested by military police for wearing a miniskirt and punished with 40 lashes. This traumatic event shaped her vision to “celebrate a woman’s choice to wear whatever she desires, without the fear of being judged or punished.” Raassi reveres her homeland and tries to maintain an apolitical stance while objecting to its sexist customs. She recalls a childhood plagued by the Iran-Iraq War, when Western fashion magazines and Barbie dolls were coveted contraband that informed her artistic awakening. After moving to the States, Raasi faced repeated business failures, which she relates frankly while noting the lessons she learned. These include a disastrous attempt at opening a boutique in Washington, D.C., and a demoralizing experience with a Miss Universe pageant that was marred by wildly inappropriate behavior from the staff, a botched photo shoot, and Donald Trump. Raasi’s story is inspirational and very relevant for young entrepreneurs and creative types, providing plenty of insight into the dos and don’ts of running a small business. [em]Agent: Jessica Regel, Foundry Literary. (Sept.) [/em]