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Iranians Embrace Underground Fashion Shows

Stylish rebels flout fundamentalism

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2007 1:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Under the nose of Iran's fundamentalist Islamic government, Western standards and customs are gaining ground. From satellite dishes to hip-hop parties to screenings of banned films, temptations abound. The LA Times goes behind the scenes of a fashion show in Tehran, where women and men mix freely and models flash plentiful skin.

Sadaf, the designer, rented out an acquaintance's basement and flew in four of the six models. One described herself as "a little terrified," but the show went on, to a warm reception from an enthusiastic crowd. The mullahs, presumably, were none the wiser. Said Azita, a designer in the audience: "We love it so much because the clerics hate it."

US NEWS MUSLIM-CLOTHING DE
US NEWS MUSLIM-CLOTHING DE   (KRT Photos)
IRAN. Tehran. In the southern suburb of Shahr-E-Rey, a woman wearing the strict Islamic chador next to two young in western dresses which pay scant respect to Islamic dress code. (PAR287797)
IRAN. Tehran. In the southern suburb of Shahr-E-Rey, a woman wearing the strict Islamic chador next to two young in western dresses which pay scant respect to Islamic dress code. (PAR287797)   (Magnum Photos)
IRAN. Khorramabad. On the day preceding Ashura, women in black chador with a covered face prays inside a home. 2005. (PAR288202)
IRAN. Khorramabad. On the day preceding Ashura, women in black chador with a covered face prays inside a home. 2005. (PAR288202)   (Magnum Photos)
IRAN. Khorramabad. On the day preceding Ashura, a woman in black chador mourns the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, son of Ali, founder of the Shia sect. On the wall is an ad for a taxi service (PAR288203)
IRAN. Khorramabad. On the day preceding Ashura, a woman in black chador mourns the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, son of Ali, founder of the Shia sect. On the wall is an ad for a taxi service (PAR288203)   (Magnum Photos)
A Fashion Show in LA
A Fashion Show in LA   (Associated Press)
Iranian police officers detain a woman for not adhering to the strict Islamic dress code in Tehran on Saturday April 21, 2007. Police in Tehran arrested women and men failing to confirm to the regime's definition of Islamic morals by wearing loose-fitting hijab, or head scarves, tight jackets and shortened...
Iranian police officers detain a woman for not adhering to the strict Islamic dress code in Tehran on Saturday April 21, 2007. Police in Tehran arrested women and men failing to confirm to the regime's...   (Associated Press)
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Iran • fashion • Tehran • model • underground

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