Tehran Security Police Shut Down American Brand Fashion Show

On Wednesday night, July 9, Tehran's security police prevented a fashion show for an American brand at a commercial center in northern Tehran. According to Tasnim News Agency, the Levis brand was set to hold a fashion show with Iranian models to celebrate the opening of a branch in Tehran and showcase its clothing. However, a reporter from Tasnim stated that the Tehran security police arrived at the last minute and stopped the event. It is reported that 150 people had gathered at the Rosha commercial center on Farmanieh Street to watch the live fashion show. Following the police's presence, the event organizers announced that the show was canceled due to technical issues and asked the crowd to leave the venue 'as soon as possible.' The Levis fashion show was scheduled to take place at 10 PM on July 9. The Rosha commercial center is the first 'department store' in Tehran, offering products from over a hundred prominent global brands in health and beauty, jewelry, bags and shoes, and clothing. Brands such as Dior, Swarovski, and Lancôme are sold at the Rosha department store. In December 2015, the deputy mayor of Tehran's district one stated that this complex had a violation case that was referred to the Article 100 Commission, citing the installation of an emergency staircase beside the complex as the reason for the referral. Levis is one of the few prominent American brands that has been able to enter the Iranian clothing market after the nuclear agreement and the lifting of sanctions. It has been previously reported that several major brands, such as Gucci, opened branches in Iran following the lifting of international sanctions against the country. Holding fashion shows in Iran is not illegal, and several fashion shows compliant with Islamic standards have been held, especially in Tehran.