Although he was born into an affluent family, fashion designer Behnood Javaherpour, 35, says he began his career without help from his parents. Instead, he relied on a combination of charm, chutzpah and personal friendships to get started as a fabric broker. He then went to the Politecnico di Milano, where he studied international business, and later on to Instituto Marangoni. Since that early start in fabrics, he has built a group of companies that he says is worth €500 million (Dh613.5m), bought homes around the world and is now working towards early retirement.
The founder and creative director of Behnoode Clothing, Behnoode Home and the Behnoode Foundation moved to Dubai in 2012 and lives in Downtown Dubai when in the UAE, and in Italy and Iran.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up between Iran and Italy in an affluent family who were into textiles and design. My father was a pioneer in designing and producing camping equipment and my mother was an antique dealer who was also involved in the textile world. Despite that, my father always told me I needed to work for myself.
When did you begin working? What was your first job?
At the age of 15, I found a way to trade fabrics from Italy to Iran and the UAE. There are a number of big producers in Italy, and with the help of a lawyer, a business card and website, I was able to persuade one of them to sell me €25,000 worth of fabric for a client in Iran. I had already been paid in advance! It was easier to build out from there.
How did that come about?
Friendship. Everything starts with friendship. When I was young, I preferred having older friends as I felt I could learn from their experiences. That helped with my business, too.
What was your first big break?
At the age of 18, I sold a large quantity of fabric from a Turkish supplier to a Spanish company for $1m.
What would you say was your greatest financial challenge?
My greatest financial challenge was saving the €2,000 I needed as a teenager to start my Behnoode brand, and then to keep it running. I was able to save money from my business as a fabric broker. To minimise initial costs, I was my own brand ambassador. People would ask where my suit was from and I told them I would make it for them. That’s how my business began in 2005 in Italy.
How did you build your business into a €500m group of companies?
I am the chief executive of nine companies, which include being an art dealer and property investor, however, my clothing line is my passion. I started very small and once I made some profit, I started investing in art and properties. This allowed me to develop my brand further and invest more in its marketing. Along the way, I started selling European horses to buyers in Dubai and Iran. These worlds brought new customers to my fashion brand. A particular success has been collaborating with artists to design jackets with their art, a process that can take up to four to five months because of the hand weaving techniques involved. I then sell each unique piece to my affluent clients who can pay up to €150,000 for that collector’s item.
Did you have any family help along the way?
I had no financial support from my family. I am also a very independent person and wanted to make my own financial decisions. The more people involved in your business decisions, the more diluted your brand will become. I wanted the freedom to decide where and how I would invest and that included the risk taking too.
I am a huge believer of having to speculate to accumulate
What was your first big investment?
My factory in Naples, for which I paid €140,000 in 2012. Since then, I have expanded the space into a €500,000 production space where I produce my Behnoode lines of shoes and home furniture. This factory will also be the base for my future lines of eyewear, scarves and perfumes.
Where did you buy your first home?
It was a 125-square-metre apartment in the downtown area of Salerno in Italy that I bought at the age of 19. I paid €45,000 in cash for it, using money from the business.
What else do you invest in?
Besides properties, my investments include art, horses and sometimes limited-edition watches, too.
How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your business?
Behnoode, my clothing line, was impacted by the coronavirus. However, I still had my private clients who were buying suits from me constantly. My fashion sales dropped around 60 per cent, but I was able to use the time to concentrate on my philanthropy work. Knowing that people have lost so much, I wanted to give back to them. All the revenue generated from my autumn/winter Beauty Behind The Barriers collection will go to help children in Nepal.
How has your personal financial position changed during the pandemic?
I have always been financially savvy. I am spending and investing less during this pandemic.
What is your most cherished purchase?
A Picasso painting that I absolutely adore and will never sell. This painting represents my journey and all the hard work that went into building my brand. My horses are a cherished purchase too – I have six.
Where and how do you save?
I am very careful with my finances. I spend on things I need and admire. [Long term, I plan] to continue investing in art and property and develop Behnoode into a global lifestyle brand.
Where would you like to retire?
I have homes around the world, so I would probably retire in one of them … My dream is to retire at 40 and travel the world and build schools in underprivileged countries. I am currently building a school in Nepal and an academy in Kashan, Iran, to teach young adults the art of weaving and loom design. I want to ensure that they have a secure future.
What has been your proudest financial moment?
Selling a painting for millions at a Christie’s auction.
Do you have any financial regrets?
Not at all. I am very analytical. In business or personally, I invest understanding that there is a risk involved.
How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?
I only have my credit cards as due to Covid-19, everyone is going cash-free.
What car do you drive?
A Ferrari Spider and a Rolls Royce, which my chauffeur drives.
What financial advice would you offer your younger self?
Invest wisely and take calculated risks. I would tell my younger self to have fun doing it as I can be very serious.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
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- Tower Hamlets, London
More on Quran memorisation:
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Napoleon
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FULL%20RESULTS
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Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
RESULTS
5pm: Rated Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Tair, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner: Son Of Normandy, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
SPECS
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV