Amy Pugsley 
Iranian-American actress Yara Shahidi is known for her role in the hit show Black-ish on ABC and the spin-off Grown-ish in which she not only stars but is an executive producer. Balancing her time between acting and producing, her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, and being one of the leading voices of her generation this incredible woman’s star is on the rise. Now, collaborating with sportswear giant Adidas, Shahidi is celebrating her Iranian and African-American roots with an iconic collection.
The trailblazer was born in Minnesota but is proud of her heritage and is an advocate for representation and social justice. Celebrating her passion for fashion and style the two-part collaboration incorporates both footwear and apparel. In a press release, Shahidi shared, “I have always viewed clothing and footwear as incredible tools with which we navigate the world in our own particular way, so to be able to design my own collections with the brand has been truly special. This particular collection is not only an exploration of who I am – bringing together different aspects of my own heritage – but also an ode to a new generation of change-makers who are continually reimagining their own identities, carving out space, and refusing to be silenced in the process.”
The collection combines Yara’s family history—serving Persian colors and patterns as well as homage to the 60s in America where her grandfather was a well-known activist in the civil rights movement. Knowing that many people are bi-racial or of mixed heritage in the United States this powerful statement to embracing multiculturalism is 100% on brand for Yara. From saffron yellows to deep greens as well as the Farsi word “yar” (yes, short for Yara) meaning friend embroidered on everything from track tops to shoes the entire collection is a work of art.
“When I was a little I actually only mostly shopped in the boys section. Then, I went through a phase in which I refused to wear any form of pants, only skirts. My parents definitely gave me the range and freedom to seek whatever I wanted out of fashion, out. That resonated with me and also gave me the realization that it was probably going to change time and time again. That said, I wanted this collection to be versatile.”
