# Courage, Consistency, and the Power of Accepting "no" | Parastoo Nabati | TEDxAlef Salon

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG5h6L9051M
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/sG5h6L9051M
Generated: 2025-11-14T17:46:32.16+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Parastoo Nabati, an Iranian who moved abroad, recounts her journey of struggling to pursue fashion journalism despite societal pressures against it, eventually finding courage through external encouragement and realizing that fashion is a serious art form, leading her to continue writing and ultimately finding success by sharing her work internationally.

**Key Points:**
- Nabati, an Iranian national, spent 25 years in Iran before moving abroad, during which time fashion was considered a forbidden job.
- She pursued writing, basketball, and poetry, but her father discouraged her from fashion, suggesting she pursue medicine or engineering instead.
- A mentor from New York Times encouraged her to pursue fashion journalism after she sent him samples of her writing and photos.
- Nabati realized that fashion is a serious art form and that she did not need to fear judgment when pursuing it.
- She started publishing her work in two small publications and later in international publications like Vogue.
- She emphasizes that the struggle to accept one's path or the fear of failure (not wanting to be a 'middle-list' person) is common, but persistence pays off.
- Her success includes having her work published in international fashion magazines and participating in international events like the one in Paris.

![Screenshot at 01:04: The speaker, Parastoo Nabati, stands on stage at TEDxAlef Salon, dressed in traditional/modern attire, recounting the struggle to find a path for self-expression outside of expected societal roles.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-01-04.png)

**Context:** The speaker, Parastoo Nabati, shares a personal narrative about overcoming societal and familial pressures in Iran to pursue her passion for fashion journalism. She details the initial resistance she faced, especially from her father who preferred more conventional careers like medicine or engineering, and how a crucial email from an editor at The New York Times validated her path, encouraging her to persist despite her fears of mediocrity or judgment.

## Detailed Analysis

Parastoo Nabati, an Iranian woman, recounts that for 25 years in Iran, fashion was viewed as a forbidden occupation, forcing her to pursue other interests like basketball, poetry, and studying mathematics. Despite her interests, her father pushed her toward engineering or medicine. Her turning point came when she sent writing samples and photos to an editor at The New York Times, who encouraged her to pursue fashion journalism. This validation helped her realize fashion is a serious art form, not something to be ashamed of. She started publishing in two small publications and later in international magazines like Vogue. She specifically mentions receiving an email from a New York Times editor who praised her work, giving her the courage to continue. She shares that she faced internal struggles, feeling the need to be exceptional rather than 'middle-list,' and worried about whether her work would be published internationally. She ultimately found success, publishing in international magazines and participating in global events, proving that persistence in pursuing one's passion, even when facing external resistance or internal fear, is worthwhile.

### Early Life and Pressure

- Fashion was forbidden in Iran for 25 years
- Pursued writing, basketball, and poetry instead
- Father wanted her to be a doctor or engineer

### The Turning Point

- Received an encouraging email from an editor at The New York Times after submitting work samples
- Realized fashion is a serious art form

### Career Progression and Overcoming Fear

- Started publishing in two small publications in Iran
- Sent emails to international publications, receiving positive feedback (e.g., from Vogue)
- Learned to overcome the fear of not being exceptional ('middle-list')

### Key Takeaway

- Persistence pays off, and external validation (like the editor's email) can be crucial in overcoming internal struggles related to pursuing unconventional paths.

![Screenshot at 00:01: TEDx Alef Salon introductory graphic against a dark red and black background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-00-01.png)
![Screenshot at 00:05: Visual featuring the word 'EHRAN' superimposed over a stylized image of the Azadi Tower, setting the Iranian context.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 00:10: Title slide for 'The 1st Fashion Talk TEDx Alef Salon' with abstract red graphics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 00:15: Slide displaying the TEDx Alef Salon logo and sponsor logos against a light grey background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-00-15.png)
![Screenshot at 00:20: Speaker Parastoo Nabati standing center stage in front of a large, brightly lit red LED screen.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-00-20.png)
![Screenshot at 01:03: Close-up profile shot of the speaker showcasing her traditional-inspired outfit and head covering while speaking.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-01-03.png)
![Screenshot at 01:36: Speaker gesturing with her hands while discussing analyzing the 'colors' of fashion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-01-36.png)
![Screenshot at 02:29: Speaker using hand gestures while passionately explaining a concept to the audience.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-02-29.png)
![Screenshot at 03:36: Speaker pausing briefly and touching her face while reflecting on her journey.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-03-36.png)
![Screenshot at 04:42: Speaker receiving an email in 2018 from an editor that encouraged her career path in fashion journalism.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sG5h6L9051M/00-04-42.png)