The interaction between art and fashion has been known and widely discussed since these subjects’ roots. But it was Pari Ehsan who pioneered on pairing these two elements in unique combinations that celebrate this relationship and their influence on the contemporary landscape. The New York based blogger blends high-end fashion and contemporary art by posing in outfits that carefully match the exhibitions that she features in. With over 200,000 followers on Instagram, Pari Ehsan’s wisely curated fashion-meets-art feed has been rising in popularity, which can be attested by her nomination for the CFDA Awards. A step ahead of the conventional fashion blog posts, Pari explores new ways to combine different patterns and textures, creating dialogues and offering a brand new perspective into contemporary art. We had the opportunity to catch up with Pari to learn more about her process, her favorite galleries, and her future projects. Meet Pari Ehsan, the game-changer behind the internet sensation blog, Pari Dust.

Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I’ve always been someone that was interested in many different creative pursuits, I love architecture, fashion, painting, collage, art history, philosophy. I ended up going to school for architecture but I felt unsatisfied by confining myself to just this one realm. I tried to expand my role wherever I was to create variety and explore different ideas, eventually this would lead to me working for myself. 

How and why did you decide to start “Paridust”?
I started my own interior design firm and simultaneously I decided to experiment with an idea that had been on my mind for awhile of creating imagery around the nexus of art and fashion. I began by creating these relationships through collage and then decided it could be quite dynamic if I actually brought the imagery to life or performed the pairings, I felt like this way it would add a level of relevance to the content while incorporating the act of sharing and bringing exposure to those who resonate with me. 

Describe your process for pairing an outfit with an artwork/exhibition. What comes first, art or fashion? How do you select what works and exhibitions to be photographed at?
It can work either way of course, but most often the art comes first. I try to go out and physically see and experience as much as I can and it is the work that gives me some kind of emotional reaction that I am most interested in creating a pairing with. I try to capture the overall feeling of the work and heighten my interaction and others perception. 

You have been nominated by CFDA for "Fashion Instagrammer of the Year”. What did it change?Of course this was such an honor for me. It gave me the credibility I needed to be able to borrow the looks I longed for. Essentially my pursuit became more ambitious. 

Art and fashion. How do they relate or inspire each other?
I think both in their most pure state are an expression that can hold much power, create a movement, ignite change and inspire alternate ways of thinking. 

Your website and instagram "Paridust" has increasingly gained success in the art art world, somehow as form of validation. Even the "@freeze_de" account created a "sad face meme" that said "Show reviewed by Roberta (Smith) but Paridust didn't insta." Do you feel you can value/validate an artist's work by posting about it?
I think art is not meant to validated. Also in our current social media soaked climate, I’ve observed that people stop looking at the subject and get lost in the whose looking. I am constantly asking myself why do I like this, what is it that I like, what elements capture me. 

Describe a Saturday for Pari Ehsan. What is your favourite gallery/museum?
On Saturdays I try to take in as many new exhibitions as I can. Its hard to pick a favorite because they are all so unique and it depends on my mood. I do love the new Whitney and some favorite galleries are Salon 94, Hauser & Wirth, Marianne Boesky Gallery.

What pleasure do you take from your work? Is it something egocentric or the pleasure is in sharing and educating?
The vision is to create new dialogues, lead others to pursue the act of discovery and experimentation. Also of course bring exposure and share the love for people I admire and respect. It is not ego driven and I feel very much that I step outside myself to create the imagery. I am obsessed with doing it, it’s all the things I love rolled into one. 

Which artists are you looking forward to work with?
I’m very excited about a piece I am doing on the Japanese artist Mariko Mori, I will be styling and shooting her in her element, she is such a vision and a great inspiration to me, it is an honor to have the chance to shoot someone who fully embodies the work they create. 

What comes next for Pari Ehsan and Pari Dust?
I just expanded my website to become a greater platform for the interplay between art, fashion and design. I would like to get in the studio morewith artists and there are so many art havens I would like to travel to, experience and document. I am dying to get to Inhotim in Brazil and the Japanese island Naoshima. I am also experimenting with digital artists in some new types of content that I can’t wait to share in the next month.

Exclusive interview by Aujourd'hui.
Pari Ehsan (Paridust) - www.paridust.com