One Person You Should Meet:
HASAN HEJAZI


HASAN HEJAZI USES HIS CHEEKY CHARM
TO TELL US ALL ABOUT HIS EXTROADINARY CLOTHES,
MADE FROM ALL SORTS OF CREATURES!

The name Hasan Hejazi may not conjure up any pictures here, but in the Manchester fashion scene, Hejazi has made himself prominent through designing, styling, being a personal shopper and his boyish charm. It’s refreshing to see a designer who has a desire to create clothes from materials that are not often found on the catwalk, “My designs are luxurious, and that’s why I only use the best quality fabrics.”

The new and radical designer uses high quality fabrics to create garments that have the glamour and catwalk potential that is often missing in the wearable and functional fashion of today. Hejazi uses adventurous fabrics such as lace, sheepskin and leather; he creates an exciting silhouette, full of volume and contrasting textures: a couturier in the making.

When asked about his favourite material to work with, he gives charmingly contrasting answers, “I’m allowing myself to choose three because I’m cheeky!” He exclaims, “I’m going to choose Leather because it gives structure, Chiffon because it softens and flows and Jersey because you can create curves and shapes you can’t always achieve with other fabrics.” This comes across in his designs as they are packed with contrasting textures, shapes and silhouettes.

He has showcased his work at Graduate Fashion Week 2007 as a part of the Manchester Metropolitan University and received raving reviews, “His collection exploded like fireworks” says Hilary Alexander on the Telegraph.co.uk. The collection was a vast mixture of luxurious fabrics but simplicity was created by the use of just three colours, red, black and blue, in different shades. Full, empire-line dresses and hooded garments draped in sheepskin were the most prominent of the pieces, bringing a tone of expensive couture. Hejazi claimed that for his Graduate collection his main aim was to create, “A very catwalk, show piece collection that would have great visual impact on the audience.”

Hejazi explains, “I’ve always had a creative background from very young but I didn’t take fashion seriously until I studied my art foundation and completed a fashion based portfolio.” Like most designers, he has a burning passion for creating and fashion, “I have lived and breathed fashion and can’t ever imagine wanting to do anything else.” Currently struggling to raise the £15,000 he needs to study at London College of Fashion, Hejazi hopes to become a master couturier like Balenciaga after he raises the money to study for a Masters at the prestigious college.

Hejazi’s creations have featured in the pages of celebrity based, OK! Magazine and YQ Magazine, a magazine featuring fashion and style for the North-West of Britain, dressing Coronation Street soap actresses, Alison King and Helen Flanningan. He explains that as long as you have self confidence and belief, you can put yourself and your creations out there. His witty charm and cheekiness helps him on this level as Hejazi said, concerning obtaining magazine shoots, “Blagging it a little really works too!”

Hasan Hejazi is currently working as a personal shopper in Manchester trying to raise the money for his Masters Degree. He styles many of his own photo-shoots as well as shoots for FHM and Hello! Magazine. However, he explains, “It’s not as glamorous as it looks, there is lots of hard work involved, there is in being a designer too but for me it seems worth it.”

Hasan Hejazi is set for a dazzling future, already showcasing his work at London’s Alternative Fashion Week 2008. He mixes fabulous fabrics, style and charm, whilst stating, “I see myself being a successful designer showing my collections to the world.”


Text by SARAH MARSLAND