Ali Rahimi is a bona fide designer for the stars. A partial client list of Mon Atelier salon includes Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria-Parker and Amy Adams, among many others. Rahimi has also dressed gentlemen, such as Eric Mabius, Blair Underwood and William H. Macy.
Yet despite such an illustrious portfolio, Rahimi’s attitude toward his clients and his designs is humble and grounded, resonating with the mid-western values of Northeast Ohio, where he attended Virginia Marti College of Art and Design (VMCAD) in Lakewood, Ohio.
Rahimi was born in Iran and educated in England. Growing up, he was always interested in fashion. Raised in an environment of artistic appreciation, Rahimi often sat at the feet of his graphic designer uncle and visited couture salons with his mother. These early experiences nurtured him as an artist and shaped his concept of design.
When Rahimi voiced his desire to come to the United States for post-secondary studies, his parents entrusted him with relatives teaching at Case Western Reserve University. With research, he discovered VMCAD, the school that he would come to describe as the best thing that could have happened to him at that time in his life.
At VMCAD, Rahimi sharpened his fashion design skills and discovered a career path. He credits VMCAD with honing his technical abilities and with providing invaluable practical experience. In addition to these fundamentals of design, his well-rounded education also stressed the organization and discipline required to run and sustain a business.
According to John Barle, Rahimi’s partner at Mon Atelier salon, “Even though I did not attend VMCAD, I felt like I attended, because the education Ali received was of such high quality and so applicable to the real world. It provides the foundation for everything we do.”
Rahimi still stays in touch with his VMCAD teachers and holds what he learned from them close to heart. He returns to visit whenever he finds time in his busy schedule. He returned several years ago to celebrate VMCAD’s 40th anniversary with a fashion show at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Speaking to students, he described his VMCAD experience as a “tremendous opportunity” and one that both nurtured and challenged him.
Superbly constructed, Rahimi’s designs are classic and timeless, yet still have a contemporary feel. Blending high style and quality craftsmanship, Rahimi creates fashions for each individual. According to Barle, trust and service distinguish Mon Atelier from others.
“We don’t advertise,” he said. “Our business is primarily word of mouth. Our attention to detail and the personal service we provide work to bring clients back again and again.”
One such customer first came to the salon as a flower girl and returned fifteen years later for her wedding dress. “It is not just a business,” emphasized Barle. “It is a way of doing business. It is an extension of who we are and how we believe people should be treated.”
Dressing brides is a very personal experience for Rahimi and one in which he takes great pride. “I am honored that people choose me for that very special day in their lives,” he says. But eveningwear is his real love. “It’s really about meeting a client’s needs. That’s the thing to remember. I design to fit a woman’s body and select fabrics and styles that complement a client’s natural beauty.”
So what is on the horizon for Mon Atelier? When asked about ready-to-wear, Rahimi admits it is something he is considering. The challenge is giving up the one-of-a-kind designs and personalized service for which he and Mon Atelier are known.
Currently, Rahimi oversees every fitting, making it a unique experience for each client. Like many artists, he is weighing the pros and cons of mass production and commercialization against the prospect of making his visions more accessible to a broader consumer base.
Other exciting ventures for Mon atelier include dressing the stars of the hit Fox television show “Glee.” Rahimi will also be the guest curator at the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University for their tribute to Mr. Blackwell at the end of October. He also worked on several designs for the Emmy Awards earlier this year.
When asked how he envisioned his legacy in the fashion world, Rahimi quickly stepped back from the question, referring instead to his focus on clients and his deep gratitude for being able to a job he loves.
“Making a living doing what you love is the reward,” he says. “And,” adds Barle, “Our job is to serve the needs of the clients. We just want people to look and feel their best.”
Looking forward, Rahimi raises the importance of maintaining art programs in the schools, citing his own experience as a testament to the power and impact of places like VMCAD. This is one of the reasons Rahimi and Barle have spent many hours working with schools and foundations.
“We are blessed with this gift of our work,” says Barle.” It is part of our responsibility to pay it forward.” Perhaps that will be Rahimi’s true legacy.
Editor's note: This story was originally published in the Lakewood Observer.
