TEHRAN -- With the motto “Discovering Iran,” the 13th edition of the Fajr International Fashion and Clothing Festival opened here on Saturday.
The festival will continue until June 12 at the Aseman Cultural and Artistic Complex. 
More than 200 fashion designs have been accepted in the first round of the event from a pool of over 3,200 submissions by more than 1,300 designers.
This year’s festival was postponed to June to avoid overlap with other cultural events and religious holidays. The event is the only nationwide platform for fashion in the Islamic Republic.
The festival showcases selected works and aims to connect promising designers with commercial opportunities. 
Zahra Golpayegani, head of the National Fashion and Clothing Committee, said the festival is focused on “discovery and support” for regional talent, especially from rural and underserved areas.
This year’s motto reflects a push to uncover hidden creative voices across the country. Organizers say the festival marks a turning point toward decentralization and private sector involvement.
“It’s not just about the designs,” festival secretary Mohsen Gorji said. “It’s the designers who matter most.”