Mesmerize

Los Angeles–based Mesmerize is known for its exotic prints on silky tops and dresses. The line is aimed at women looking for contemporary design, who are a little bit daring and don’t like to “play it safe”.

The family-run operation is led by designer Kambiz Hakimi. His brother, Kamran, and their father, Eli, run the manufacturing, sourcing and financial end of the business. The family came to Los Angeles as Iranian refugees and built their clothing business from scratch.

Kambiz Hakimi became influenced by European designers but wanted to apply his own ideas to apparel. “Women want to be the first to wear something. They want to be unique,” he said. Despite his soft-spoken persona, Kambiz Hakimi is the opposite when he’s working on design. “We are never safe with design. We are daring and never play it safe,” he said.