Marie Claire Special Edition: Miami Swim Week
The Miami sun hits differently this year—and no one embodies its electric charge quite like Jewell Farshad. As she steps into one of the most pivotal moments of her career, Farshad isn’t just modeling swimwear. She’s challenging deeply rooted norms, dismantling stereotypes, and reshaping how the world sees Persian women.
“Iranian women aren’t even allowed to wear bikinis at public beaches—let alone model them,” Farshad says, poised and unapologetic. “There’s so much shame attached to a woman owning her body and being sexy in our culture. But that ends with me.”
Farshad, a Persian-American model, isn’t walking the runway at Miami Swim Week for the applause or the Instagram shots—though she commands both. She’s here to reclaim identity, defy oppression, and spark a new narrative: that Persian women are powerful, sensual, and sovereign.
“For me, modeling swimwear isn’t about showing off abs,” she says. “It’s about surviving trauma, liberating myself, and representing Iranian women who never had the freedom I now embody.”
Modeling as Resistance
While the fashion industry often focuses on aesthetics, Farshad is focused on impact. Each runway strut, every image captured, becomes a declaration of resistance—especially against a backdrop of rising oppression in Iran.
“In Iran, women are beaten, imprisoned, even killed for not wearing a hijab,” she says. “Today, they’re using AI to track down women who dare drive without one. These women are punished simply for existing freely.”
For Farshad, wearing a bikini isn’t just a personal victory. It’s a political act. It’s solidarity in sequins.
“I’m not just representing Persian women,” she explains. “I’m giving voice to the ones who’ve been silenced for too long. I want the world to see us not as terrorists or victims—but as elegant, intelligent, magnetic.”
The Blueprint for a New Era
Farshad is more than a model—she’s a movement. Her brand, Haute & Fabulous, fuses luxury lifestyle content with ancient Persian spirituality, channeling what she calls “Persian Goddess Energy.” It’s a bold blend of 3,000-year-old cultural wisdom and modern sensuality that’s captivating global audiences.
“I’m not here to fit in—I’m here to shift perception,” she says. “I want Persian culture to be seen as aspirational, not misunderstood. After me, every Persian woman will have a blueprint.”
That blueprint includes high-fashion campaigns, digital storytelling, and educational content centered on Zoroastrian teachings and Persian heritage. Her brand is a masterclass in cultural reclamation—with a luxury gloss.
Miami as a Global Stage
For Farshad, Miami Swim Week isn’t just a career milestone—it’s a global microphone.
“This moment isn’t just about me,” she says. “It’s about every Persian girl who’s ever been told to stay silent, cover up, or dim her light. I want to be the person who changes how the world sees my culture.”
On Miami’s runways, she’s not just showcasing swimwear. She’s modeling liberation.
More Than a Model—A Cultural Architect
Farshad’s rise is no accident. Behind the glamor is a meticulously built empire. She’s authored relationship guides (including How to Date a Model), developed modeling courses, and built a digital platform that straddles the worlds of high fashion and cultural education.
“I’m documenting this revolution in real time,” she says. “People are watching it unfold on social media—and they’re joining in.”
The Miami Manifesto
As the week unfolds, one thing becomes clear: Jewell Farshad is not just part of the fashion industry. She’s rewriting its script.
Every bikini is a protest. Every pose, a punch through cultural oppression. Every strut down the runway is a signal to the world: Persian women will no longer be hidden.
“This is just the beginning,” Farshad says. “I’m not waiting for permission. I’m building the future—and I’m doing it in heels, in bikinis, and on my own terms.”
The revolution has arrived. It’s radiant, rebellious—and wrapped in Persian goddess energy.
