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Working in fashion was always in Jasmin Larian Hekmat’s DNA. The Cult Gaia founder and creative director grew up in a creative household. Her mother was a fashion designer and is currently a sculptor, and her father is a toy maker. “She taught me how to start sewing on paper,” Larian Hekmat says. “I grew up going into this closet and finding bags of treasures that I would start draping on myself when I got older and pinning and then sewing.”
Larian Hekmat studied fashion design and international marketing at FIT, where she interned at Narciso Rodriguez and Jason Wu. Following her schooling, Larian Hekmat knew that she wanted to move back home to Los Angeles and start her own line, Cult Gaia. “I made a conscious decision to move home, not have to pay rent, and start my business,” she told Who What Wear.
For the latest episode of the Who What Wear Podcast, Larian Hekmat shares how she launched Cult Gaia, her favorite pieces from the new collection, and what she’s wearing for holiday celebrations this year.
For excerpts from their conversation, scroll below.
Let’s start somewhat at the beginning. You grew up immersed in fashion and design because of your parents. I read that you essentially got your start designing miniature clothing for Bratz Dolls. Can you share a bit about your childhood and how you started to develop your artistic point of view?
I have a very creative family. My mom was a fashion designer and is currently a sculptor. She went to FIDM in Los Angeles and I grew up with a linen closet filled with trims and fabrics from her time there.
She grew up making her own clothes and would make our clothes. She taught me how to start sewing on paper. I grew up going into this closet and finding bags of treasures that I would start draping on myself when I got older and pinning and then sewing.
My dad was a toy maker—currently is a toy maker—and one of the lines they had is the Bratz Dolls. One of the dolls, Yasmin, is named after me. I grew up working with these dolls and seeing a massive sample room of people making miniature clothing.
You studied fashion design and international marketing at FIT in Manhattan. You also interned at Narciso Rodriguez and Jason Wu, two industry greats. You ultimately decided to step out on your own rather than climbing the ranks and working for an established brand. Tell me about post-grad. That decision to go out on your own and your sort of initial vision for your career.
At the time I had started, I was interning for Jason Wu and my parents were like, “Come home.” They basically said that they weren’t gonna support me when I was in New York. I realized if I stay in New York and I continue to work, I will get stuck working instead of just pushing forward and starting. So I made a conscious decision to move home, not have to pay rent, and start my business.
I know you often design around dressing for certain events, whether it’s weddings or vacations. Can you give some nuggets or backstory around some of your favorite pieces and how you imagine them being worn?
One of the first branches of the collection—or seeds—was this beautiful landscape print of Saint-Tropez. I did a little capsule called Cult Guy, which I use vintage silk fabrics and it was basically little cabana shorts and a matching silk top probably like six years ago—seven years ago. We’ve brought that back and it’s now a unisex look. That’s one of my favorite because you can share.
Then we put it in a beautiful beaded minidress and it’s all hand-beaded.
I’m curious if there are any special Cult Gaia pieces you’d recommend for the holiday celebrations near and what are you planning on wearing?
I’m obsessed with our new Caldera clutch. I take it everywhere.
I love some of our pearl dresses, like the Domina.
Our pearl choker, the Nora choker.
The Warrin gown. Obsessed with the Warrin gown. It’s all hand-netted pearls. Fringe.
I mean, everyone still loves and buys the Renata, which is the fringe. It kind of drapes your body. It looks good on everyone. Everybody. It’s crazy.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Next, check out our interview with Who What Wear’s editors who share their favorite affordable gifts to buy for friends and family this holiday season.