Your Name: Azin Valy
Business Name: Cityzen by Azin, a global fashion and cultural exchange platform
Type of Business: Clothing & Accessories/E-Commerce
Business Location: New York, New York, United States
Website www.cityzenbyazin.com
Twitter @CityzenByAzin
Facebook www.facebook.com/CityzenByAzin
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/azinvaly/
Reason for starting
Going into fashion was a childhood desire that was put aside to pursue Architecture. With the downturn in the economy and upon my architecture firm’s nomination for an exhibit at MoMA about the future of urban planning, I came across my concept for a fashion line that I felt was solid and global enough to pursue. I also saw within it the means to express many of my social/creative/cultural and philanthropic interests by bridging differences through the arts.
How do you define success?
For years, I have defined it in terms of being able to pursue and achieve what you love doing best and making a living with your passion, without having to compromise and making too many sacrifices.
Biggest Success
Having an award winning architecture practice and coming up with small solutions to make big changes.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
To make my fashion line an international brand in a short period of time by attracting the appropriate investors/advisers and publicity. Due to it’s holistic and organic nature, it is poised to become an international brand and it is a matter of time.
Who is your most important role model?
I don’t have any specific role models, but from the fashion industry, I try to follow and learn from the steps Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Andrew Rosen, have taken. As an artist I admire Issey Miyake and Hussain Chalayan.