We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dina Mahrouz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dina, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I believe that for someone like me—and really, for any designer or creative spirit who feels the need to create—a regular, conventional job isn’t truly fulfilling. While such a job might offer safety, stability, and fewer uncertainties, it often lacks the freedom and emotional satisfaction that come with being an independent artist.

There are definitely moments of deep frustration—when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring, or what the outcome will be after putting so much into creating something. During those times, I find myself wondering: What if I had a job with the same routine tasks, where I could clock out, receive a steady paycheck, and not carry all this emotional and creative weight every day?

But even in those moments, I know that kind of life wouldn’t make me happy. I want a life where I can be creative and free—where I can express myself openly and push boundaries through design. That’s what truly makes me feel alive. It’s not always easy, but staying true to myself matters more than simply being comfortable.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As an artist and designer, I see it as my responsibility to address one of the fashion industry’s biggest problems through my design work and the products I create. We all know that the fashion industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, and I believe that design should be a tool for solving problems—not just for making beautiful clothes.

In my opinion, we already have more than enough beautiful garments in the world. What we truly need now is design that tackles real issues. That’s why I try to use fabric scraps in my creations and focus on upcycling, giving garments a new life through my own signature style.

I also have a deep passion for textiles and have always been drawn to working with local artisans—especially those involved in traditional Iranian craftsmanship. Collaborating with them not only inspires my work but also helps preserve the rich heritage of Iranian handmade arts that are at risk of disappearing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

born in the Middle East compared to those born in the West. When I moved from Turkey to New York, I realized just how many learning and networking resources exist here—things that simply weren’t available to us.

For artists especially, having access to global platforms and international visibility is essential. From my experience, it’s significantly harder for creatives in the Middle East to access these spaces compared to someone based in the U.S.

Since being in New York, I’ve had the chance to connect with so many inspiring professionals in the fashion industry and learn more than I ever could back in Turkey. And with the growth of technology, it’s now easier than ever to reach people across the world.

If I could go back, I would absolutely start building my professional network earlier. I would actively reach out to people—on Instagram, LinkedIn, or even by finding their emails—to ask questions, share my work, and build connections. Creating your own platform early on makes a huge difference.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

This is a great question. For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist—or being creative in general—is the freedom it gives your mind. You’re constantly challenged to create things that are hard to express in words, but through your skills, you’re able to communicate them visually or emotionally.

That kind of creative thinking gives me a deep sense of freedom, power, and life—because there’s no end to it. There’s always something new to learn, to explore, and to experience. As an artist, that means you can always evolve and refine your work.

I also find a lot of meaning in receiving feedback and hearing different interpretations of my pieces. It’s inspiring to see how others connect with the work in their own way—it adds another layer to the creative process and reminds me that art really lives through others’ perspectives, too.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dina.mahrouz/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/dina-mahrouz