This Designer Is Donating 100% Of The Profits From His New Collection To Underprivileged Children In Nepal
Behnood Javaherpour aspires to be able to help by building a new school. Bazaar chats with him about his ‘passion project’ here
Designer of the luxury brand BEHNOODE and founder of the Behnoode Foundation, Behnood Javaherpour combines both his passion for philanthropy and style within his F/W 2020/2021 collection.
Featuring a series of patterned suits, as well as trench coats in earthy tones, the collection is inspired by the relationship between the human external public persona and the inner authentic self.
Behnood tells Bazaar about the ‘profound and life-changing’ experiences he had in Nepal, his philanthropic efforts, and why this collection is important to him.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): Why have you chosen Nepal specifically as a recipient of your charity efforts?
Behnood Javaherpour (BJ): My love story with Nepal was purely accidental. I went on an expedition to the Mount Everest base camp and a part of that journey included me traveling through Nepal. The effect Nepal had on me was profound and life changing. When I witnessed the poverty and endurance of the children there, I knew I had to make a difference. The Behnoode Charity Foundation was set up immediately to raise awareness and funds for these children.
HBA: What motivates you to give 100% of the proceeds to charity?
Witnessing the poverty and the hearing stories of these children who travel two hours each way, enduring harsh weather conditions, just to get an education six months every year affected me deeply. I knew I had to make a difference. Each year, I have traveled to Nepal at least four times and bring along basic essentials, food and money to help those in need. I am now teaching art at these schools to inspire their creativity.
HBA: How do your ‘Beauty Behind The Barriers’ pieces resonate with Nepal in particular?
BJ: The AW20/21 collection entitled ‘Beauty Behind The Barriers’ explores the relationship between human external public persona versus the inner authentic self.
We live in a world dominated by power, wealth and celebrity its influence can create a projection of an altered reality. In this collection, I want to explore the valour behind the veil and the beauty behind the barriers, the authenticity of the individual soul by dissolving away the external appearance and revealing the genuine grace within.
2020 has been a challenging year for many of us. Imagine, these children who have endured hardship since their birth; every year of their life has been challenging for them. It took us all to slow down to appreciate and understand human suffering. My collection and its proceeds was inspired to help those in Nepal.
HBA: What are your aspirations for the collection? Will the proceeds go towards building a new school?
BJ: My aspirations are that 100% of the proceeds will go towards building the new school. I am also raising funds and awareness through different channels too. This school is my passion project and I am so excited to educate, inspire and provide free education for these children.
To shop BEHNOODE’s F/W collection, visit behnoode.com.
Lead image courtesy of Unsplash