MINA TAFAZOLI

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Designer biography:

Mina Tafazoli is an Iranian jewellery maker and product designer. Daughter of an architect, since young she has been exposed to different cultural and artistic movements that sparked her interest in innovative ideas and concepts. Her story starts in Tehran, where she grew up during the war between Iran and Iraq and its aftermath. The destructive consequences of this war were enormous, and affected her life in many ways. The war had a serious impact on Iran’s industrial sector as many factories closed down, and imports from the West were banned. But this was what inspired Mina and pushed her to follow a career in industrial design.

In 2003, she started studying Product Design at Azad university of Tehran where she explored new design processes. In 2008, after completing her Bachelor studies and before continuing her MA studies in Industrial Design, Mina moved to the UK and obtained a MA in “International Design & Communication Management” at University of Warwick. Upon the completion of her studies in the UK, she returned to Iran and continued her MA in Industrial Design. During the following years, Mina collaborated with various companies as a designer and taught at three universities as a teaching fellow. Meanwhile, she started bringing her ideas to life through sculpture which resulted in participating in a few group exhibitions.

In 2020 Mina decided to move to Canada in order to improve her French and further explore different cultures of the world. She also had the honor to be selected as a jury member of “A Design Awards Competition” in 2021 and 2022. Living an international life and being always surrounded by different cultures broadened Mina’s horizons and gave her a new perspective of life that she tries to express through her jewellery.

Collection concept:

Since young Mina Tafazoli was fascinated by the ancient craft of mirror work found in old mosques or historical buildings. The magic of light and reflections together with the unique patterns always left her mesmerized. Every time she would visit an old aristocratic house or a mosque, she was so impressed with the striking interiors that she wanted to take a piece of this beauty and sparkle with her back home and always carry it with her.

“The idea of the present collection named Mirror work, dates back to my childhood, when I was first encountered to mirror work in historical monuments of Iran, longing to be able to take them home with me.” And that’s exactly the inspiration behind Mim Té; a piece of immense beauty that any woman can wear; a sparkling detail that reflects the inner glow of female uniqueness; and a piece of art that makes every woman shine, exactly how our eyes sparkle or shine when we feel truly happy!

Mina Tafazoli (Iran)

MINA TAFAZOLI

Designer biography: