Saturday, March 30, 2013

Fashion in Politics


Fashionable Political Women- too much hype? 

Whilst reading a feature on Asma Assad in a certain glossy (said piece has now become quite infamous), I asked myself whether some women in politics get more attention in the media for their sartorial knowledge rather than their political presence. Should we really give someone more attention because they wear Lanvin like second skin rather than because they are one of the first people to promote women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia (e.g. Princess Ameerah). Should we really care about Asma Assad’s new line of accessories when her husband is busy creating a genocide in his country? Does it really matter that Samantha Cameron can tell the difference between an Ellie Saab and an Erdem when her husband is announcing cuts for the public sector? Apparently so- which is why we have so many articles and blogs (like this one) dedicated solely to ‘what they wore’ rather than ‘what they/their other halves’ did. Here is a list of some women in politics that are considered to be in-vogue currently. Do you think we should pay attention to what these women wear? Let me know who you think should be included here by commenting. Enjoy! 


QUEEN RANIA,ASMA ASSAD and PRINCESS AMIRAH-  All these women have one common factor- no it is not that they are all middle eastern or that they are all always impeccably dressed (which they are), it is that they all have husbands who some would consider to be dictators. Their husbands have also been accused of falsely using their wives to promote a secular, fashionable and moderate view of their regimes/dynasties. This is probably less so for Princess Ameerah whose husband is not the ruling or future king of Saudi Arabia. However, her prominent presence in the Western media have caused conflict among the Saudi Royals with one of her husbands brothers threatening to ‘take action’ if she was not subdued by her husband and taught to behave like a ‘proper Saudi wife’. Here’s hoping that never happened!

Hina rabbani khar- Pakistan’s ex foreign minister- Known more for her multiple Hermes and Chanel bags then for her foreign policy. That is quite an achievement as Pakistan’s foreign policy is constantly in the press! She caused quite a stir in India when she made her first official visit causing many to call the indian press sexist. 

Carla Bruni- Ok so her husband is no longer the French president but when he was we heard more about Carla than we did about him. Some of her favourite designers include YSL, John Galliano and above all Christian Dior. This post would not be complete if I do not mentioned these two. Mrs Cameron is a self confessed fan of Erdem, Roksanda llincic Christopher Kane and Alessandra Rich whereas Mrs Obama prefers to showcase American designers such as Alexander Wang, Jason Wu (Canadian) and Thakoon. 

2 comments:

  1. I think we should definitely carry on hounding these women with enquiries into what they're wearing and why and what they will be wearing next. Certainly. In fact, I think that in the interest of balance, we should ask what the men are wearing? I mean their husbands. If we're going to pay any attention to the women, if people are going to insist on fluffing up their fashion pieces with little bits about politics, why not throw something in for the men too?

    It's only fair.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Aggie,
    I agree and is a very valid point! Fashionable men in politics coming up soon! :)

    ReplyDelete