Vahdat Hall,originally called Roudaki Hall andbuilt for artistic performances,was a prominent venue formajor concerts and plays over the years. This year, however,on the occasion of spring and Nowruz,the Iranian new year, it becamethe site for a different type of event: the Fajr Fashion Festival.
For quite some time, clothing items havebeen presented at an annual, year-end exhibitionto make purchasing them easier formiddle- and lower-class families in anticipation of the new year. People would, at times, have near-death experiencesfrom pushing and being pushed, to grab the last of the dresses, manteaus and scarves. This year, such exhibitions were more expansive, held in400 venuesthroughout the country, with 35,000 manufacturers selling their products,including clothing items and Nowruz goods, such as nuts and delicate cookies traditionally servedduring spring visits to people'shomes.
With this year's events, the clothing industry in Iran has turned over a new leaf, presentinga hipper style. Most middle-class Iranians could afford to buy clothes from the exhibition held in Vahdat Hall this year, although it was tough forsomefamilies budgets. Festival fans say they were able to purchase clothes below wholesale prices.