Long before eco-conscious fashion took off, designer Behnaz Sarafpour started producing ready-to-wear collections with organic fabrics and sustainable practices. Her namesake label, which launched in 2001, quickly shot to fame and developed a chic following, with now-iconic dresses worn by Katie Holmes and Selma Blair. In 2018, New-York-based Sarafpour channeled her passion for natural materials into the debut of clean-beauty fragrances, all made with single floral essences—such as rose, neroli and oud—and the absence of synthetic oils, preservatives and dyes.
Since then, her botanical-forward collection has grown to include six, water-based perfumes as well as her latest innovation: A tri-scented candle, composed of three different layers of scent (lush florals, crisp greens and smoky woods) stacked on top of each other and contained in a single vessel, making it a rare feat in the perfume industry.
Sarafpour, who grew up in Tehran, Iran, splits her time between her West Village apartment and home in Pound Ridge, New York, where she’s surrounded by plants and wild life. When in the city, though, she zips between meetings with retailers and clients. Although she no longer produces her ready-to-wear collection, Sarafpour still creates custom pieces and partakes in collaborations—she recently launched a velvet hair ribbon for Aerin Lauder, and in the past has partnered with Target and Tiffany & Co., in addition to having her fashion pieces displayed in museums including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
To stay focused on so many projects at once, the designer and Parsons School of Design alum has a minimalist-chic wardrobe that works in any setting and, importantly, is both comfortable (and fun) to wear. Here, Sarafpour shares what’s in her closet and how she finds productivity and inspiration during her busy workday.
Behnaz Sarafpour’s Work Essentials
Her Daytime Work Look: A Chic Sweater And Leggings
“Since I started working from home, it’s all about a comfortable and streamlined look,” says Sarafpour who prefers this La Ligne cashmere sweater, with its colorful stripes along one arm and a relaxed fit, which she pairs with sleek black leggings.
forbes.comNET-A-PORTER Promo Codes | 10% Off In January 2022 | Forbes
Her Evening Work Look: A Bold Printed Dress
“For me, fashion is about experimenting a little and having fun with your look,” says Sarafpour. “This year, I’ve been wearing more vintage, and also this La Double J dress, because I love the unique vintage-inspired print. Sophie Buhai gold hoop earrings are just the right finishing touch.”
Her Favorite Shoes: Nike Air Sneakers
“The shoes that I wear almost every day: white Nike Air sneakers,” says Sarafpour, of the sporty pick that goes with everything from pleated skirts to slim trousers, and keeps your feet comfortable when walking all day in the city.
Her Work Bag: A Structured Tote
Sarafpour swears by Bottega Veneta’s Arco bag, which she considers “the perfect size and a cross between a handbag and tote.” The architectural shape adds interest to any outfit and can fit all the essentials—wallet, phone, water bottle—without any bulk.
How She Stays Focused At Work: A Clean, Tidy Desk
“I’m a minimalist at heart and love organizing. It’s the best way to focus!” says Sarafpour. “I learned the idea of mise en place in cooking school, which is about gathering the components needed for a recipe. I set up my desk similarly, with only what is needed for the task at hand.”
Tech Accessories She Can’t Live Without: Apple iPad And Pencil
Sarafpour’s Apple iPad is the “one single device I live on. I draw on it, and do spreadsheets and anything else you can imagine,” she says. Another must-have accessory: “The Apple Pencil, which makes it easier to draw on my iPad.” If you want to jazz up the all-white tool, consider a colorful case (pictured).
How She Stays Energized And Hydrated: Jasmine Tea
“A cup of jasmine green tea is how I stay hydrated during the day. I drink it hot or cold, depending on the weather.” In between meetings and Zoom calls, Sarafpour refreshes her look with an easy switch. “For a super quick change, I just throw on a Khaite black blazer and pull my hair back with one of my Behnaz for Aerin hair accessories.”
How She Unwinds After Work: Eucalyptus Baths
“To de-stress at the end of the day, I love being in the water more than anything. So if I don’t have access to a beach or pool, soaking in a bathtub is the next best thing,” says Sarafpour. “Goop bath salts are a great treat to add to the bath water—specifically I love the eucalyptus-infused Beauty Nurse.”
How She Stays Inspired: Reading Cookbooks
Snacking Cakes: Simple Treats for Anytime Cravings: A Baking Book
“Anything like a book or a lesson that teaches me a new skill or opens my mind to something new is the most treasured gift to me,” says Sarafpour. “I especially like getting cookbooks, such as Yossy Arefi’s Snacking Cakes, since we’ve all been eating at home more these days.”
Check out my website or some of my other work here. Send me a secure tip.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.