Doing It All
Tara Zadeh approaches all new ventures with a sense of pragmatism. Whether it be managing her eponymous handbag line, becoming a first-time mother during the pandemic, or launching a virtual community to empower young Iranian women, she remains realistic about the ups and downs of being a Woman InCharge.
Doing It All
Tara Zadeh approaches all new ventures with a sense of pragmatism. Whether it be managing her eponymous handbag line, becoming a first-time mother during the pandemic, or launching a virtual community to empower young Iranian women, she remains realistic about the ups and downs of being a Woman InCharge.
Doing It All
Tara Zadeh approaches all new ventures with a sense of pragmatism. Whether it be managing her eponymous handbag line, becoming a first-time mother during the pandemic, or launching a virtual community to empower young Iranian women, she remains realistic about the ups and downs of being a Woman InCharge.
She spoke to us from her home in the London neighborhood of Little Venice, and walked us through her journey as a creative person trying to find their niche. From designing magazines, to freelancing, to art directing, to hand bag design, Tara embraces the curious nature of the DVF Woman.
Starting Tara Zadeh Bags was something somewhat unexpected. It was a feeling from a trip to Iran that was translated into sketches which eventually became a colorful and sculptural collection of accessories.
“I think it was the first time taking my husband—we went all around; Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan. I was just mesmerized by everything—the landscapes, the mosaics, the tiles, the mosques, the palaces—and my whole vision became clear. I started sketching and sketching and sketching all these geometric forms and started drawing bags.”
When Tara Zadeh Bags launched, it instantly blew up. Which, for a new designer, can be quite hectic. As the pandemic began to unfurl, Tara decided to take the opportunity to pause and reorganize her company. However, she has full plans to resume production with Tara Zadeh Bags when the time is right and noted that the key to succeeding is in maintaining a sense of purpose.
“You just have to keep believing. Once you don’t believe in what you do anymore, then that’s it,” Tara notes. “There’s a saying in French, ‘Chaque chose en son temps’, which means ‘Everything in it’s time.’ Everything will happen when it has to.” Also adding, “Tara Zadeh is not dead!”
In the meantime, she has been able to enjoy her new baby, Gabriel, and explore her philanthropic side through a new project, Zanaée.
Her genuine take on motherhood: “I mean you’re caring for another human being, it’s strange. Sometimes I look at him and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I’m your mother!’” she laughs. “You know, I didn’t know that I had that in me. Everyday you learn something new and, now that the interaction has started, we’re laughing, he’s responding to me, and there’s a real exchange. I think the first time he kissed me I just started crying.”
Zanaée, Tara's other baby, is a digital (but soon-to-be IRL) network to connect and uplift Iranian women in creative industries. The seed for Zanaée was planted at a 2018 London Fashion Week event, when Tara met Nika Diamond-Krendel, a fellow Iranian designer. As their friendship developed over the next couple of years, they noticed the lack of community for Iranian women and decided that they would just create one.
“Now more than ever, we want to spotlight Iranian women and Iranian culture in a positive light… and the response to Zanaée was insane. We get messages from non-Iranians saying that they’ve enjoyed learning so much about these amazing women and their journey as well as our culture and tradition. That’s really what we want to do—we want to bring women together but also inspire the younger generation.”
Zanaée's network will be expanding this year by hosting in-person events and organizing mentorship programs for young Iranian women starting out in their respective fields.
When it came to her DVF dress, Tara’s personal style really shined through (which we loved).
“It’s funny because I’m known to wear combat boots, it’s like my thing. I like to wear platforms and big shoes, everyone calls them my ‘techno boots’ because I party with the boots, I live with the boots, it’s a part of me,” she laughs. “But I chose that dress because I really liked the pattern and I liked the cut. I was super happy because it was even nicer than it seemed in the pictures. It was flattering on the body, it had feminine lines, and I loved that electric blue. I can’t wait to wear it again.”
Tara Zadeh on being InCharge: