The Fabric of Passion: Ghazaleh Pourreza’s Journey from Sewing to Styling and AI Artistry
In the latest episode of “Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri,” we dove deep into the world of style, self-expression, and technology-driven artistry with Ghazaleh Pourreza, a stylist and AI artist. From childhood memories of button mishaps to crafting new futures for celebrities and fashion brands, Ghazaleh’s journey is one woven with curiosity, resilience, and passion.
A Childhood Draped in Fabric and Imagination
Ghazaleh’s story begins with the soft hum of a sewing machine and the glimmer of a chandelier-draped gown. Her earliest memories paint a vivid picture of a child mesmerized by her mother’s sewing skills. “By the time we woke up, there would be an entire evening gown ready for a wedding,” she recalls. It was this magical transformation of fabric into beautiful, tangible pieces that sparked Ghazaleh’s fascination with design.
Growing up, her creative spirit often manifested in curious and playful ways. One particularly memorable story involved Ghazaleh stuffing a button up her nose at the age of three, leading to an amusing clinic visit. “That button incident,” she laughs, “might have been the earliest sign that I was destined for this path.” It was an anecdote that not only highlighted her innate connection to sewing materials but also underscored how deeply she gravitated toward the world of clothing and design from a very young age.
Her formative years were filled with flipping through old fashion magazines, daydreaming about high-waisted pants and bold 70s designs. Her love for fashion began before she could fully understand it, nurtured by the vibrant visuals of her mother’s sewing projects and those nostalgic magazines.
“The nourishment I received was visual,” Ghazaleh explains. “It was those journals, those fabrics, and those memories that planted the seeds of what I would later pursue.” The immersive experience of watching her mother sew, combined with her hands-on exploration of fabric, created a sensory foundation that shaped her creative lens.
The Leap from Urban Planning to Fashion
Despite her love for fashion, Ghazaleh initially followed a different path—studying urban planning at university. The decision stemmed from societal expectations and the belief that engineering and urban design were more stable career choices. But even amid geometric sketches and urban layouts, her passion for clothing and design never faded.
“Even in university, I couldn’t resist the pull of fashion. I would constantly imagine how I could turn architectural forms into clothing silhouettes,” she shares.
Her passion resurfaced during her fifth semester when her mother, worn out by Ghazaleh’s constant requests for custom-made outfits, handed her a sewing class brochure. “She told me, ‘Sign up for this class and leave me alone,'” Ghazaleh jokes. This humorous nudge set her on a life-changing journey.
That sewing class marked a turning point. “I realized that sewing was more than just a skill. It was a form of meditation for me. The sound of scissors cutting fabric is still one of the most beautiful sounds in the world,” she reflects. Sewing bridged the gap between her imagination and tangible creations, grounding her creative process in hands-on experience.
Through sewing, she found solace and joy. “I would spend hours sewing clothes for myself, creating garments from scratch and wearing them out the same night. It felt empowering to bring ideas from my mind to life with my own hands,” Ghazaleh recalls. This experience helped her appreciate the craftsmanship behind fashion and further solidified her desire to enter the industry.
The Turning Point: Vakko ESMOD and Istanbul
In 2018, Ghazaleh took a bold step toward professionalizing her passion by enrolling in a celebrity styling course at Vakko ESMOD in Istanbul. This decision was fueled by an unexpected catalyst—a concert. “I was at this concert, and the performers’ outfits were so poorly styled that I felt compelled to change something in Iran’s celebrity fashion scene,” she shares.
Her time at Vakko ESMOD opened new doors, but it wasn’t without challenges. From torn passports to interrogations at airports, Ghazaleh’s determination never wavered. “I’m not a competitive person with others,” she says. “I compete with myself—the Ghazaleh from last year.”
The experience at Vakko ESMOD not only refined her technical skills but also expanded her worldview. Being surrounded by other creative minds from different cultural backgrounds allowed her to draw inspiration from global fashion trends. “It was an eye-opener. Seeing how fashion was interpreted differently in Turkey compared to Iran made me realize the value of cross-cultural design,” she adds.
Upon returning to Iran, Ghazaleh found herself with a prestigious certificate but no clear roadmap. Styling, particularly celebrity styling, was still a nascent field in Iran. However, fate intervened during a volunteer event where she crossed paths with Shahin Fatemi of Dorsa.
“I told him about my course, and he simply said, ‘Come teach my staff,'” she recalls. This pivotal moment led to her first teaching experience at the age of 25.
Blending Art, Fashion, and Technology
Ghazaleh’s career rapidly evolved as she ventured beyond traditional styling into AI-driven content creation. “AI is just another tool in the creative process. When I have an idea, I want to bring it to life immediately,” she explains. Tools like Midjourney allow her to merge artistic intuition with cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of design.
Her portfolio now includes collaborations with prominent brands like Dorsa, Mashhad Leather, and Kanirash. She has designed window displays for Jimmy Key and engaged in visual merchandising for Boyner. Whether she’s consulting for brands or mentoring students in styling and AI, Ghazaleh approaches every project with the same foundational philosophy: creativity starts with hands-on experience.
“If you don’t know how to handle fabric or how a garment is stitched, how can you truly innovate in fashion?” she asks. This belief underscores her teaching style, encouraging students to not just learn theories but to actively engage with fabric, patterns, and tools.
Style as a Language of Identity
For Ghazaleh, style is more than just clothing. “It’s a reflection of who we are, how we move through the world, and the stories we carry,” she says. She likens styling to sculpting—each piece of fabric, each accessory adds depth and character to the overall image.
“Some pieces of clothing already have a character. It’s about finding those pieces and letting them speak,” she elaborates. This insight reflects her artistic approach to styling, where she treats each outfit as a canvas waiting to tell a story.
This philosophy underpins her approach to personal styling, teaching her clients to see beyond trends and discover garments that resonate with their essence.
Lessons for Aspiring Creatives
Ghazaleh’s journey highlights the significance of curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn. “I believe in constantly exploring new experiences, even if it’s just to understand them better,” she says. This mindset has shaped her diverse career, from PR roles to charity work, all of which contributed to her holistic understanding of the fashion industry.
