In this series, MACCAPANI’s most inspiring women—writers, fashion icons, chefs, designers, and other extraordinary LADY MACCA—share their unique relationships with fashion and what inspires their choices when dressing for the world. |
|
Hello Lady Maccas!
As the city comes back to life, we sat down with Maryam Nassir Zadeh—designer, entrepreneur, retailer, and creative force whose namesake label and Orchard Street store have shaped the downtown landscape for over a decade. With an instinctive way of pairing refinement with ease, Maryam has become a reference point for women who treat dressing as both expression and everyday poetry.
We spoke with her about personal style, the pieces she holds onto most, and how Maccapani slips into her daily rhythm.
|
|
What do you aim to achieve or express when you dress for the world?
When I dress for the world, I want to feel as authentic and comfortable in myself as possible. Visually, that translates to wearing pieces with personal meaning, a style that feels unique, effortless, and truly my own.
Is there a particular item of clothing you’re emotionally attached to? Can you share the story behind it?
Yes, my signature blue button-up shirt. I had it made at Charvet in 2019, choosing the fabric myself. It’s the perfect cold, pale blue. When it was new, the cotton was crisp; now, after years of wear, it’s softened, with edges frayed and raw. I love it because it’s one of a kind and has become part of my “travel uniform”. I wear it on every plane ride and take it with me almost everywhere. Recently, I’ve started wearing it less so it lasts longer. Now it hangs on the wall of my studio like a piece of art, reserved for special occasions.
What kind of Lady Macca do you feel like right now? Has that energy shifted with the return to the city this September?
Right now, I feel like a focused, intentional Lady Macca. It reminds me of Margherita a few years ago, when she was in the midst of her big home purge—deep in a phase of editing, refining, and letting go.
What are the Maccapani pieces you find yourself reaching for most often?
|
|
When you design or curate, are you envisioning a particular woman, or more about evoking a mood or building a world?
For me, it’s about building a world. I imagine not just the person but how she lives: what surrounds her, how she moves, how she expresses herself energetically and visually. Through that, I tell a story of how she sees and flows through the world.
When you think about dressing in New York, which Maccapani pieces slip naturally into your uniform?My ultimate everyday essential is the Logo T — the lavender shade is spot on, and the graphic hits just right. For evenings, I love the Easy Pant with the Comfy Corset, or dressing up in the Iris Dress for parties and dinners.
|
|
How do you approach an essential like the Monogram Dress?
The Monogram Dress feels like a new essential. It’s striking on its own, but I also love layering it with a T-shirt to make it feel more casual and unexpected.
|
|
Are there particular cuts or fabrics that feel like second skin to you?
Yes. The knit monogram styles are perfect layering essentials, and the sheer monogram flocked pieces stand out for both silhouette and texture. They’re effortless, like a second skin, ideal for city life, travel, and easy day-to-night shifts. Each piece works beautifully on its own, and even better layered together.
|
|
|
|
|
