Fashion as politics
February 12th, 2010
Lubna Hussein, a 43-year old journalist, challenged Sudanese police and courts since her arrest in July for wearing pants by insisting the case go to trial. The prospect that she could get the full sentence of 40 lashes - drew an international outcry. The judge tried instead to fine her $200.
Geisy Arruda revealed the hypocrisy of Brazilian society when she was arrested and escorted off a college campus in the capital city of Sao Paulo. This from a country who invented the teeny weeny bikini and the bikini wax!
With the fall fashion shows kicking off yesterday in NYC (the last time Fashion Week will take place in Bryant Park; next year it’s schedded for Lincoln Center), it’s timely to note how politicized fashion has become all over the world. According to Marie Claire magazine, women are fighting globally to wear what they want. Unfortunately, most of these battles are taking place in Islamic countries. In Sudan, journalist Lubna Hussein was arrested for wearing pants: the punishment - 40 lashes. In Somalia, women are publicly whipped for wearing bras (unnatural firmness and support violates a radical interpretation of Sharia law). Indonesia passed a law that as of 2010 women are officially prohibited from wearing pants. Religious police distribute modesty skirts. In non Muslim countries, such as Brazil, female college students are arrested for wearing mini-dresses and in Britain, the largest labor union banned high heels in the workplace. When will men give it up?
