Barmak Badaei

At a shade over a decade old, Scifen stands as one of the streetwear old guards. Longevity has not been without ups and downs. A lawsuit threatened the health of the business and a declining economy hampered sales. The hits, however, haven’t dented the passion of founder Barmak Badaei.

Scifen is Badaei’s creative outlet. A brand that at once filters his passion for hip-hop and related culture to garments and simultaneously charts his growth as a designer and as a man.

Badaei’s roots in street culture are deep. Asked about the brand’s connection to New York and connection to hip-hop he responds honestly, “I don’t think its something I’ve really thought about much, the line has always just been an extension of myself.” Growing up, Badaei excelled as a b-boy. From the age of 12, he traveled extensively building a personal network that would later influence the tone of Scifen.

His passion for fashion grew independently, however he notes the logic there, “it [fashion] is synonymous with hip-hop and street culture.”