Climate Change Interviews

Interview with Ali Behnam-Bakhtiar, Founder of Ali Bakhtiar Designs

August 30, 2021

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Today I am joined by Ali Behnam-Bakhtiar is an internationally acknowledged designer and a leading expert in bespoke luxury spaces. He is the founder and creative director of Ali Bakhtiar Designs; a world-renowned design firm that specialises in interior and architectural design as well as event and wedding design.

Ali studied interior design and fashion at Parsons, École des Beaux-Arts, The American University of Paris and Esmod. During his studies, he worked with John Galliano at Dior, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, and Christian La Croix, before creating his own fashion brands. After selling these in 1997, Ali established Ali Bakhtiar Designs, which focussed mainly on redecorating palaces in and around Asia; India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brunei. Quite quickly however, he ‘stumbled’ into high end event planning, when he was officially commissioned to design his first royal wedding in 2003. Since then, he has been designing events and interiors worldwide, for global celebrities, Royals, international corporates and 5 Star hospitality clients.

Ali Behnam-Bakhtiar was born in Tehran, a descendent to two long-standing Iranian aristocratic dynasties. He holds Iranian and French citizenship and is based between Dubai and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France.

An avid and active philanthropist, creating social value is an intrinsic part of Ali’s business philosophy and personal values. His foundation supports charitable and cultural initiatives, that focus on educational opportunities and safe homes for children, and the improvement of world health. In 2016, Ali and his brother Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar also established The Behnam-Bakhtiar Foundation, to support emerging artists of Iranian descent. The Foundation presents the bi-annual Behnam-Bakhtiar Award.

Ali Behnam Bakhtiar started his company Ali Behnam Bakhtiar Designs in 1997. The company is known for creating some of the most exclusive events around the world, in particular large-scale high-end weddings. The interior design arm of the company designs unique private homes, planes and yachts, whilst the event arm focussed on exclusive events and weddings. The company now has 4 offices worldwide – France, Dubai, Turkey and Italy – with 700+ multi-disciplined, multi-cultural event specialists, all of whom are passionately dedicated to producing exceptional experiences.

Some of the company’s recent public events include The Influencer Awards Monaco and the 25th anniversary gala for DE GRISOGOGNO, during Cannes Film Festival. In Dubai, the company client list includes The Royal Mirage, The Burj Al Arab, Atlantis Marriott Dubai, Four Seasons Dubai, the Dubai Mall, Armani Hotel Dubai, The Polo Club, Major Tennis Events and the Dubai Film Festival.