Friday, January 07, 2005
Iran’s conservative MPs turn to fashion design
TEHRAN: Deputies in Iran’s conservative-run parliament have begun preparing designs for what will be a new national costume aimed at stemming the encroachment of Western fashion, a top MP said on Thursday.
Emad Afroogh, head of the Majlis cultural commission, said MPs have been “meeting with designers to come up with an interesting variety of affordable, nationally inspired designs that will also respond to modern needs.” He said the commission hoped to eventually incorporate the designs into a new bill offering guidelines on dress that “redefine Iranian identity while respecting religious and cultural red lines.” “People will not be forced to wear these clothes,” he asserted, but nevertheless said the new designs “will certainly be appealing.”
The effort to stipulate what to wear comes several months after the Islamic republic’s supreme leader, Khamenei, warned of a “cultural invasion” and the dangers of imitating foreigners.
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