Between the Veils

A three-volume editorial publication exploring the changing lives, identities and experiences of Iranian women through research, editorial design and visual storytelling

Between the Veils was originally designed as a three-volume printed publication, combining historical research, photography, fashion, mixed-media imagery and storytelling to explore the lives of Iranian women beyond simplified Western narratives. For this portfolio, the publication has been presented in its original three-volume structure as interactive digital editions

Role: Editorial Designer & Researcher

Type: Editorial Publication

Duration: 3 months

Year: 2020

Tools: InDesign, Photoshop, Canva

Skills: Editorial Design · Journalism · Research · Visual Storytelling

The Story: Between the Veils began as a personal exploration of my Iranian heritage and evolved into a three-part editorial publication examining women's rights, identity and resistance throughout Iran's modern history. As someone who grew up feeling disconnected from part of my cultural identity, researching this project became a way of understanding the country beyond the headlines, and reconnecting with my mother’s story

Each volume explores a different moment in Iran’s history. Together, they show how political change has shaped women’s lives across generations, whilst challenging the simplified way Iran is often portrayed in Western Media

Volume I

Revisiting the lives of Iranian women before the 1979 Revolution, celebrating a period of fashion, identity and modernity that's often overlooked in Western perceptions.

The Monarchy Issue

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Volume II

Looking at how the veil has become more than a piece of fabric, reflecting identity, politics and the lived experiences of Iranian women across generations

The Veiling Issue

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Fashion Thru Oppression

Volume III

Exploring how fashion can become both personal expression and political resistance, revealing the ways clothing is used to preserve identity, challenge expectations and reclaim individuality in contemporary Iran

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The Challenge: Designing Between the Veils required balancing a politically sensitive subject with engaging editorial design. My goal was not to simplify Iran's history, but to communicate its complexity through a publication that remained both informative and visually engaging

One of the most important parts of this project was making sure Iranian women weren't reduced to a single stereotype. Instead, I wanted to represent different generations of women whose lives have been shaped by history in different ways, each negotiating identity, tradition and resistance on their own terms

Researching Iranian artists, photographers and designers became one of my favourite parts of the project. Discovering the work of Shirin Neshat, Solmaz Tohidloo, Nasser Ovissi and Shirin Aliabadi, not only influenced the visual language of the publication, but also helped me reconnect with a culture I had often experienced from a distance. Their work inspired an editorial identity rooted in protest, resilience and cultural expression, while encouraging me to tell my own story alongside theirs.

"This project wasn't created to tell people what to think about Iran—it was created to encourage them to question what they already believe"

Originally produced as a printed editorial publication.

This digital version preserves the original three-volume structure while making the project accessible online. A revised edition, including a fourth volume, is currently in development

Making Between the Veils

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