As we watch the glitz and glamour of the Oscars, Shohreh Aghdashloo is reminding us to keep the spotlight on the women of Iran who continue to fight for their freedom.
The Iranian-American actress who fled her home country during the 1978 revolution, has arrived at the event wearing a custom gown by Christian Siriano which features the names of a number of murdered Iranian women.
“It has been my utmost pleasure collaborating with award-winning fashion designer Christian Siriano for the 95th Academy Awards,” the House of Sand and Fog star shared in a post on Instagram.
“The custom-made white and black ‘Woman Life Freedom’ gown is championing the women of Iran, Mahsa Amini, Hajar Abbasi and Nina Shakarami, who were among the first women whose lives ended far too early in the hope of freedom, after 44 years of oppression and religious tyranny under the Islamic Republic.”
She adds that Siriano, who created the gown for her with just 3 weeks notice, has “long championed women and marginalised communities, and has spoken up for causes he believes in, and has fought for what he believes is right.”
The ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ slogan has been chanted frequently through the streets of Iran – and around the world – since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September last year. She had been arrested for inappropriate attire by the country’s morality police and died while in custody.
(Feature Image Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)