Arefeh Mansouri

Biography

Arefeh Mansouri's career began in Montreal, Canada at the age of 23. Born November 1980 in Tehran, Iran, she immigrated to Canada at 16 years of age. During her early years, Arefeh displayed great interest and aptitude in painting as well as math and science. She started her undergraduate education with a major in Biology at Concordia University with the intent to pursue a career in Medicine. Already an accomplished painter, she soon realized where her true passions lie. This led her to a career in Fashion and Costume Design. She began her studies of Fashion at Montreal's LaSalle College. Subsequently, she launched a women's Prêt-à-Porter line until she was offered a position in Milan, Italy as head designer for an Italian clothing Firm. In 2007 she relaunched her line in the United States with a specific focus on Couture Wedding and Evening wear. In addition, she began pursuing her passion for costume design. Her designs are featured in major Hollywood productions. Arefeh Mansouri is a member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and The Costume Designers Guild as a Costume Designer. In 2009 Arefeh Mansouri was asked to collaborate with Entertainment Weekly and Women in Film to design Tote bags for the Emmy Awards pre-party. In 2011 Arefeh Mansouri was handpicked for a project called "Art Meets Fashion". Her task was to create a dress based on Karel Appel's Sculpture the Tulip. In 2012 Arefeh Mansouri collaborated with Celebrity Photographer Juan Pont Lezica to create a photograph that was a recreation of Sir Fredric Leighton's painting the Flaming June. The picture was exhibited at The Parthenon, Nashville's Art Museum. Arefeh Mansouri's contribution was a dress that she especially designed for the piece using the Flaming June as her inspiration. In 2014 one of Arefeh Mansouri's designs was included in the IDA Book of Design alongside other notable designs. Also In 2014, Arefeh Mansouri was invited by Women's Wear Daily and Magic to Attend a 3-day Trade Show at WWDMAGIC, in Vegas, to show her latest Collection. In 2015 Arefeh Mansouri was included in the Amazon number one best seller "Jewels of Allah The Untold Story of Women in Iran", Written by Dr Nina Ansary. In 2016 Designer Arefeh Mansouri was Nominated for National Design Awards by Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. In 2016 Arefeh Mansouri furthered her educational pursuits and completed her studies at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. In 2017 Arefeh Mansouri of United States was awarded: Second Prize in Apparel Category Competition for the Couture & Avant Garde Wedding Apparel Project at the International Design Awards.

Retail

In 2013, Arefeh Mansouri established her signature store, "AREFEH", at 150 Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida. In 2016 she relocated her store to Miami's Coral Gables, Florida.

Invention

Arefeh Mansouri is the youngest Iranian-American Inventor to be granted a US Patent for her new twist on the classic flat shoe. FLAT PLAT is an innovation in the flat shoe market that uses a proprietary outsole that is engineered for maximum comfort and support, which has never been felt in the typical flat shoe. The shoe was developed with the guidance of a Neuro-Interventional Pain Specialist and on May 5, 2015 Arefeh Mansouri was awarded a US Patent for her invention. To test the final product, an initial high end and very limited run of the shoes were made in Italy with exotic materials and sold in Arefeh's Worth Avenue store in Palm Beach. The shoes were an instant hit with her clientele, who wanted more. Due to this high demand Arefeh Mansouri has decided to manufacture FLAT PLAT But this time FLAT PLAT will be more accessible while retaining its quality.

Career as a film director

In 2014 Arefeh Mansouri made her directorial debut with "DREAM". A Luxurious vision of Love wrapped in Mystery, written and produced by Arefeh Mansouri. In addition, Arefeh Mansouri wrote the lyrics and produced the music for "DREAM". She then presented her short film "DREAM" at the 2015 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Arefeh Mansouri (U.S.A), has won 2 prestigious Award of Merit from "The Best Shorts Film Competition." The two categories were awarded for Mansouri's Short Film: "DREAM", Experimental and Women Filmmakers.

Filmography