Brides of Mokhber al-Dowleh

In the narrow workshops of south Tehran, near Mokhber al-Dowleh Square, men spend their days sewing wedding gowns. Tahmineh Monzavi photographs these tailors at work: craftsmen from modest backgrounds, labouring long hours in cramped spaces for a meagre living, surrounded by layers of white fabric, lace and tulle.

The series rests on a striking contrast. The immaculate dresses, embodiments of romantic and traditional dreams, take shape in the rough hands of working men whose lives are far removed from the celebrations these gowns are made for. Between the delicacy of the fabric and the hardness of the work, Monzavi reveals the hidden labour behind a moment of joy.

Approached with tenderness, these images invite quiet contemplation of beauty, work, and the dreams we entrust to others.