“I’m a queer Iranian man who’s also a hairstylist in the fashion industry. Essentially, my entire being contradicts everything the Islamic regime stands for. Regardless, I CELEBRATE HAIR. That’s my job, that’s what I do.”
Words by Lola Yeganeh Ameri. Portrait by Eiv Hansen. All images from Ali Pirzadeh's portfolio.
When the salon he was working at in Stockholm suggested clients were keener on being booked with ‘Alex’ instead of ‘Ali’, he took on a new persona. However, after a while Ali Pirzadeh reckoned that his heritage was a core part of his identity, and so it didn’t take long for him to drop ‘Alex’ and embrace his roots. “I was Alex at work and Ali at home. Some clients were a bit confused when they found out. Even at hairdressing school, salons would see my name and wouldn’t call me in for an interview. [But] Being Persian has and will always be something I’m very proud of.”
It was actually Pirzadeh’s sister who inspired him to get into hairdressing. When his studies in economics weren’t progressing, his parents encouraged him to follow his passion. “I wanted to be a hairdresser like my sister, and I ended up really enjoying it. At the time, I just never knew that there was a whole other section of hair in the fashion industry.”
Pirzadeh grew up in the suburbs of Stockholm listening to Persian music by Googoosh and Hayedeh, two icons who are still influential in his work. The hairstylist, who’s now worked on numerous magazine cover shoots and catwalks, had never even opened a copy of Vogue before entering the industry. Now, his impressive portfolio is filled with the likes of Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Lykke Li, Robyn and Jennifer Hudson.
When it comes to inspiration, Pirzadeh looks at his surroundings. “My inspiration comes from everywhere but also nowhere at the same time. My partner is a fine art photographer, so he’s evoked a lot of artistic influence on my work.” This echoes clearly throughout Pirzadeh’s creations, with many of his works pushing the structural and textural elements of hair to a new dimension. But it’s the unapologetic loudness of his Persian heritage that shines through the most.
Eddie Campbell for D'Repubblica by Théo de Gueltzl
An important moment in his life was his involvement in Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022, where he took to his social media platform to spread awareness of what was going on inside Iran despite many others in his industry staying silent. “It was a sense of hope, community and change. Growing up, I always felt something was missing. I was longing for home. I remember small things from my childhood in Iran… my mum standing on the terrace with her hair blowing in the wind. That’s my Iran.”
Although Ali Pirzadeh has seen great changes in the fashion industry, he feels individuals from ethnic minorities still aren’t given as many opportunities. “There’s room for growth, which I hope to contribute to. It’s extremely important to be outspoken about your heritage. It helps everyone to feel welcomed and accepted, and that opens the door for others to participate.”
Discover this piece inside the Persian Chapter at The Silk Road Issue 12
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