INTERVIEW WITH AMIR DOR TOLOUEE

       

Amir, you are born in Tehran, Iran. You moved with you family in 1986 to Dubai and you have travelled the world as an international model. What are your favorite places in the world and why? Has this time influenced you?

I would like to start with a big hello and a special thank to you dear Nadine for giving me the pleasure of being interviewed by your magazine.

Back to your first question, well … whether it was modeling, studying, work or simply holiday trips… I have always loved traveling and it is really hard to pin point few favorite places … through the years I have had a chance to know & get acquainted with people of almost all nationalities. Every city & every person whether good or bad have a little something new which they add to our personal story book to make us more wise ,enlightened and complete.

As an international model for more than a decade you have worked with most prestigious designers and brands in the world. How did you start your Modeling carrier?

I was 17 when offered my first modeling job for a newspaper advert and there after I signed up with very few existing agents in Dubai and my modeling carrier picked up from local fashion shows & TV commercials gradually to international catwalks & big assignments.

I am the first Iranian male model ( both parents being Iranian) who entered the international fashion & catwalk scene back in early 90’s.

 

Modeling is very tough industry, especially since back in then there was no digital photography & websites for you to reach agencies in 4 corners of the globe within minutes from the comfort of your personal PC and neither MySpace, Facebook & fan pages to get noticed or promote yourself as easy as it is happening  today… and of course we had no Photoshop magic … so to get work & make it as a successful model you had to be the real deal.

How would you describe your personal fashion style? What are your favorites brands and why? Do you have a preferred accessories or which fashion is essential for you?

When it comes to personal fashion style I never blindly follow the crowd or what are season’s trends.

The clothes you wear say a lot about your personality and you want to express yourself in a way that is true about you. As or my favorite brands? … Wow!!! 2 decades of fashion craze & too many to mention.

My favorite accessories would be watches. I have been buying & collecting luxury watches for many years now.

You are an architect, located with your own business company in Dubai, responsible for over 150 diverse projects in the last 14 years like Residential/Commercial & Luxury Villas, Steel Structure Buildings, Warehouses and Interior Decoration for Private Villas, Offices, Hotels & Restaurants.

Dubai is known for its many spectacular construction projects such as skyscrapers, shopping malls, artificial islands and theme parks and for many people in the still the symbol as the modern fairy tale of 1001 nights.

How have you experienced the development in the last 10 -15 years in Dubai? And how do you get your inspiration and ideas for your own business projects / for your client’s needs ?

It has been a design paradise for Architects & interior designers. Driving through the main roads you can see amazing buildings which are each unique if standing alone but since there are too many … well we who live here are used to it.

Since my father was a civil engineer & my sister later on joined us as an interior architect/designer … it was perfect match for a family business. Luckily in Dubai unlike many other cities we have plenty of space as far as designing and ideas are concern. Bigger rooms, bigger houses, bigger roads …. Well bigger & taller everything!

In the past 7 years I have been less involved in architectural part of my company and more in Expansion, Directing & closing the contract deals with clients.

As an architect, what do you think about the world, the palms, the Atlantis, the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa?

The projects you mentioned are all amazing record breaking landmarks … which are all the superb visionaries of HH sheikh Mohammed Al maktoum who managed to get Dubai’s name on the world map within the space of 15 years. Outstanding architecture made a significant contribution to that development.

How would you describe the lifestyle in Dubai and how you prefer to spend an evening during the weekend? Any special spots in the town? Why people are so are fascinated by Dubai and the UAE?

Over the past 25 plus years I have seen Dubai changing From a peaceful simple & quite town where everyone knew everyone , into a fast moving competitive ,glittering metropolis full of utopias ...so fast growing that its is hard to keep up with name & list of new places ,hotels, clubs & restaurants .

I am one of the well known old timers in Dubai & have done, tried everything  this city had to offer hundred times over so now a days personally I prefer mostly to have a nice relaxing evenings with only those few close to me … but in general Dubai always offers the best of daytime activities and a super nightlife full of beautiful people & places, incase you feel like having more than just a relaxing evening!!!

Any special spots … ? Honestly there are too many to mention.

As you have mentioned … there’s a fascination with this town & especially over the last decade I have seen people from all over the world either move or planning  to somehow make it here if possible.

Although this is a city for many dreams to come through … I must warn you! It is not all 1001 night fairy tales which many imagine it to be. Dubai is a melting pot of 85% expat population which includes educated & non educated business professionals from every country & race …. All here for one purpose and that is to make money. So while visiting or staying for few weeks might feel like a fairy tale … living & making it out here requires hard work & being really good at what you do in order to stay ahead. This is a city designed for winners only and without work people won’t last more than few months in here.   

Dubai is bidding to host the EXPO in 2020 under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, for a period of six month, what would attract a lot of visitors. Besides this, where do you see Dubai in the following years or where would you like seen Dubai recognized for in the next years?

Dubai is still a new city & it is going through many fazes of transformation & challenges … today it thrives with the fastest growing population of expatriates!

As for its future? With the foremost infrastructure, oil, world-class constructions, one of world’s biggest sea port, tourism, lowest rate of crime & most importantly the financial benefits for businesses… I think it’ll just get better.

What are your favorite cars or yachts and why? Do you make race ralley’s in the desert?

My favorite car right now is the new Aston martin vanquish 2013 which is absolutely gorgeous inside & outside. When it comes to sport cars I like cars that you can drive them wearing either casual or a tuxedo and still look good I them. Aston, jaguar and Bentley GT would fit the list.

I  have a limited edition sport jag xkr which I drive sometimes during weekends … but with ever increasing traffic & hyper drivers all over town I prefer mostly the back seat comfort & quite of my other car.

As for desert ralleys ? Ha ha … I am not really in to that!! Maybe if I was 18.

You are a Certified International Boxing Instructor ( AIBA- Golden gloves ) Have you won discipline by boxing? What do you like about this sport? any sports besides?

Boxing is in my blood line & part of me .My father Mr. Iraj Dor Tolouee is a former world, Asian ,national boxing champion & founder of sport in U.A.E. I learned boxing from a young age & it has greatly influenced or shaped my character & strong personality in life outside the GYM.

I did competitions many years back but to become a full time fighter … it required certain disciplines, strict life style & full time dedication which back then did not match the lifestyle which naturally came with my modeling ,studding & business carrier, therefore I concentrated more on becoming a good instructor with international qualifications teaching hundreds of students over past years . 

To box does not necessarily mean stepping between the ropes and dodging punches from an angry opponent trying to knock your head off.

Boxing can simply be a means of getting yourself into great shape, learning effective self-defense for personal safety & the world outside the ring ,to release tension and stress ... especially after a long busy day. To develops focus ,balance and concentration. The sport allows you to be aware of your positive qualities and abilities, as well as recognizing your faults, mistakes and shortcomings .

I do enjoy other forms of martial arts, have a brown belt in kempo, love swimming, shooting, golf, tennis.

What means personality for you?

Personality is a sum total of all the different ways in which a person reacts and interacts with others. When I meet someone for the first time within first 10 minutes…it is their personality which determines whether I want to meet this person again or not. It is an assumed role or manner of behavior, Charisma, or qualities that make a us stand out from the crowd.

What goals and dreams you have set for yourself for the future?

Interesting question … you know ,if you would have asked me the same 10 or 15 years ago my answer would have been quite different … more recognition, more success, more money no matter what !!!  But as I went through some of that my priorities began to change. I have grown wiser & now appreciate what’s really important in life. I would say my goals are now set on first health, love, peace & happiness no matter what. As long as I have these in my future … the rest should be fine.

What does ‘beautiful’ mean to you and could you leave us with your own personal quote reflecting how you feel about it?

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. To me, someone with certain features, who's confident, self-assured, pure and kind could be described beautiful. When it comes to people …Beauty is either about the obvious physical attributes that are pleasing or the inner appearance of a person. Their soul, kindness, beliefs, feelings, attitudes, etc.

Thank you dear Amir for taking time for this fantastic interview. It is more than a pleasure for me.

(PS: This interview was taken in June 2013 and I've made this while working as a Co-founder of an e-magazine. All I have written is my work, my preparation for it and it is my fully right to post it.)