Oman was my first experience of Islamic-inspired fashion. In these sets, "Muslim Women of World" I hope to document how women the world over adopt hijab, and adapt it to their lives. I will start with the two most popularized so-called Islamic countries the West seems to associate hijab with (particularily since it is enforced in these places). The Islamic (LOL) Republic of Iran, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [neither are Islamic governements]. This set will be about Iran.
Often when we think of Iranian hijab we have one of two iamges, that of the stereotypical stylish young Persian woman in Tehran who only wears hijab because it is enforced upon her... This girl, if we are lucky, has styled her beautiful headcsarf more like a headband to display her preened blonde highlights, and a tight fitted coat or button up blouse that she calls a "manteau", likely with quarter length sleeves and capris. Sometimes she even has a "stylish" banadage on her nose to indicate a nose job. Is she a hijabi? Not really, so I am not blaming her for creating a bad example for possibly confused new Muslims. Girls, I warning you now
don't wear the hijab styles pictured below. It is the look of a non-muslim woman forced to wear hijab, it is not Islamic whatsoever.
...Our other image is of the Iranian modesty police woman shrouded in her black encompassing chador, policing these "wayward girls"... She is a symbol of totalitarian government to some, and of conformity. Iranian hijab cannot be expressed in this cookie cutter fashion.
Let's begin with the chador---it is not traditionally black but can look lovely in black. It is often in bright traditonal printz or whites... It was always a cultural sign of a woman's beauty.
I personally love alot of the Iranian fashion pieces I have seen in the media. Let me just post and comment on a whole heck of a load of photos for you. Bear with me, I am not gonna organize them in any kind of specific order...
The government in Iran put on a fashion show (which most of the Wetsern media thought drolly ironic) but I quite enjoyed it. I like this chador. I wouldn't wear it. But I think it looks modest and nice.
Bright traditional prints, a little bit of traditional silver work... Too folksy for me, but pretty. I'd like to see some of the Aunties at the Masjid wearing things like these:D
Okay, this style is totally something most non-abaya girls would look so good in. Modest but elegant. It is "almost" Turkish.
Iranian "jumper". I.e the sleeveless jilbab. If that hijab were draped around the neck, it'd be very Islamic and practically pretty.
Trouser and jilbab set with a floral print scarf. I'd wear this. Now, I have uploaded so many photos I am too lazy to comment, so just sit back and enjoy...
Okay, I LOVE this one above.
Comments
Very Beautiful, very modest. Iranian chaddar is also very famous in pakistan. yesterday i was talking to a friend of mine who loves iranian chaddar and we talked about it for quite a while :) and here you posted a lot of those chaddars :)
By the way, Are they wearing capris in first few pictures or something else? because whatever that is, is ankle showing which isn't hijab i guess.
masha'Allah, Iranian women are *gorgeous* I loved the simple chador styles, and even the pajama suits -- some of these outfits I def. would wear in a Western society.
In fact, Pixie remember my mustard-yellow jumper I got for $1 from WIN?? Now that was a real steal aaaand something I can wear here to womens' gatherings insha'Allah!
Thnx for this fun post :-D
I'd really appreciate it if you would link this up to my blog since I've written a lot about Iran. (http://muhajabat.wordpress.com) Thank you, kheili mamnoon.
Search keywords: chador, Iranian chador, Iranian fashion show, Persian hijab, Persian women, Iran hijab
I do love your site btw. Ladies, echeck it out at the link left by Um Ibrihim.
Pixie, hahaha, I never thought to search the terms in English.
I DID want to clarify something about the YouTube video you posted. That clip is from North Tehran which is 100% NOT like 99% of the rest of Iran, not even like most of the rest of Tehran. After the Revolution, the Iranian economic elite fled Iran and went to the USA and Europe. Many of them decided to move BACK to Iran once things calmed down because they knew they could live better in Iran. Anyway, the majority of them moved into 1 particular area in North Tehran. This part of Tehran is JUST like being in Paris or London, it's VERY westernized and few there religious.
Hence, basing the entire country Iran on what goes on in a small suburb of Tehran is ludacris. Trust me, I've only been to North Tehran twice and BOTH times I felt very intimiddated and weirded out. The houses are HUGE, gated, everyone is in Gucci and Prada. Those are the wealthy elite who can AFFORD to fly to Paris a few times a month to buy groced few there religious.ries!!!!
If you continue into the video you'll see about the village of Abidan and thats more like the rest of Iran, esp villages...
The majority of Iranians are still religious and/or traditional and most dont eat pizza every night, travel to Paris every month or wear Gap or Gucci clothing.
En'shallah you can get to come to Iran sometime and you'll get to travel around the country, outside of North Tehran. :-)
p.s. This kind of reminds me of how most westerners have a bad view of Saudi Arabia as full of women hating muttaween and fundamentalists. Obviously this view is not accurate.
We really ought to try to dispel these myths and find out for ourselves the reality of these places.
anyway, I just wanted to tell you this.
There is totally a reason why Esfahan has always been called "half the world".
Esfahan-e nesf-e jahan. It's soo beautiful and historic!
mashallah.
But other than that, en'shallah someday you can come visit Iran, I'm sure you'll find it very intriguing.
The sisters in real life from Iran & Iraq have taught me alot about physical hijab & in the heart. Allah yebarakfeehum