When you think about what Middle Eastern women might be lacking their lives, the first thing that comes mind is always "fashion magazines!" That's where Elle comes in. The mag will be launching in Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan, with the goal of encouraging all the wives of nouveau riche oil industry moguls to put their cash back into the fashion economy.
Buy why do women need high end fashion if they are just going to walk around dressed in burkhas and hijabs? Because they need to look hot for parties with their girlfriends so they can send camera phone pics to their boyfriends and put sexy photos up on their web pages. Obviously.
So what do other mag corps think about the move? Well, Conde Nast is not really interested in following suit.
"It would be risky to try to impose our cultural values on a market that doesn't accept them," says Jonathan Newhouse, chairman of Conde Nast International.
And you know they totally pulled that from one of Graydon Carter's ed letters.
Chic Under Wraps [Christina Passariello, Wall Street Journal]
Editorial Director
Not everyone in those countries wears burkhas and hijabs. Any woman between 15 and 55 is usually very style conscious. Many average women look like they just stepped out of a Paris photo shoot. So Elle will cater to more than just the rich oil execs wives.
lebanese women are thought by many to be "the most beautiful and stylish in the world." no– im not joking. also? NOBODY in lebanon jordan or morocco wears a burkha–that was AFGHANISTAN– and youd be surprised how few hijabs youll see in those countries too. do some research, you may be pleasantly surprised. the middle east is a huge and varied place…dont believe the hype.
Are people that ignorant? First of all, there are probably like 20 magizines similar to Elle in Lebanon alone. The Burqa is only in Afghanistan. Most women throughout the Middle East, in places such as Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Morrocco, Tunisia, Algeria… are fashionable and modern. Elie Saab for instance is a Lebanese fashion designer, his atelier is in Downtown Beirut and he started by catering to the tastes of his Middle Eastern clientelle. Do some research and open your eyes…
Please read the WSJ article this posting relates to. It 1) suggests women in these countries only wear fashionable clothing in front of their girlfriends, 2) shows a photograph of a woman in a burkha window shopping, and 3) claims that the increase in fashion is due to young men getting rich off oil profits.
Not that I should have to explain this, but, the exaggerated and apathetic tone of our response is meant to challange the media outlet which produced this article and the stereotypes it puts forth.
jonny
Elle is wasting their time and money. The women in these countries already have their magazines that deal with their culture and values. These Arab magazines have articles that support the killing of Jews and destroying Israel. That's all the Arabs think about.
I've met many Arabs and can't believe what hate-mongers they are. I'm not Jewish but I'm shocked at the level of such vicious bigoted attitudes towards the Jews.
Don't blame the "injustice" of Israel for this. Jews are natives to Israel while the Arabs are not. Most Arabs know this is true but won't admit it.
Whoever thinks that Lebanese women are the most beautiful must need glassess. Our ugliest women are better-looking than their prettiest women. Arab women are definately fugly to say the least.