When meeting up with Ali Davoodi at his favourite cafe, Bar Centro, he has just launched a street art project where four female artists have each painted a door around central Gothenburg. “I wanted to do something for the city and to highlight female artists for a change,” he says. The project, ArtMadeThis, which he launched together with property developer Vasakronan, is an initiative to make art accessible to the people of Gothenburg. This is just one of Ali’s many ventures.
In 2006 he came up with the idea to launch a fashion fair and the result was Fresh Fish, an annual fashion show and competition aimed at promising designers. Next year it celebrates its 10th anniversary has received great international acclaim in that time, not least for collaborating with different charities. “I carry a responsibility as a privileged citizen. I like to get involved in things that don’t necessarily involve me,” he says.
Ali started off in a completely different industry, as a production manager at Volvo, but he soon realised that he wanted to make a difference somehow. “I remember walking into a clothes shop and my brain started coming up with all these ideas of what could be done. I like throwing myself into challenges, and there and then I decided to quit my job. Nine out of ten people would probably describe me as a doer – I finish what I set out for,” he says.
Ali has since then run a gallery, launched his own clothing brand, consulted other fashion brands and has just opened his own lifestyle accessory shop Miksajo on the trendy street Vallgatan 14 in Gothenburg.
From watching Ali where he sits in the café, it is evident that he is at the centre of creativity in Gothenburg. He mentions some of the young talent causing a stir at the moment: interior designer Staffan Holm, bag maker Ann-Louise Landelius, sneaker designer Axel Arigato, the clothes shop L’Homme Rouge and neckwear brand Bow Club to mention a few.
“The city is getting more and more tolerant of new ideas. People are becoming less afraid of failing and that atmosphere allows for new talent to emerge,” he explains, adding: “That’s what inspires me – the people of Gothenburg.”
But as much as he gets his inspiration from the people around him, Gothenburg is buzzing because of people like him.
Getting to Gothenburg
Spend a weekend or longer exploring Ali Davoodi’s creative and stylish Gothenburg with Expedia
