Iran Opens Cosmetics Show
By AFSHIN VALINEJAD
Associated Press Writer
KISH ISLAND, Iran (AP) - Iran opened a cosmetics exhibition Saturday,
the first since the nation's Islamic revolution, but hard-line opponents
forced the cancellation of an accompanying fashion show. Photo
here
It appeared that conservatives had protested to authorities about the
fashion show, which would have involved models striding along a catwalk
to display clothes and makeup, said Abbas Esmaeli, one of the organizers
of the weeklong Modex 2001 exhibition.
``We had prepared everything for a live cosmetics and fashion show
to an all-female audience, but we were denied permission at the 11th hour,''
Esmaeli said.
Wearing makeup in public has been frowned upon in Iran since the 1979
Islamic revolution that brought conservative clerics to power. However,
the strict Islamic code for dress has loosened since reformist President
Mohammad Khatami came to power in 1997.
At the cosmetics exhibition, the first since the revolution, makeup
manufacturers from the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, China, Russia
and Jordan displayed lipstick, eyeliner, foundation and other cosmetics
in dozens of stalls.
The decision to hold the event on Kish Island also seemed strategic,
as the dress on the Persian Gulf island is more relaxed than on the mainland.
While many women in Iran's big cities wear a head scarf and a long coat,
known as a manteau, most women here walk about in Western garb, wearing
pants, shirts or hats. Women seen in such clothes in Tehran, the capital,
risk arrest.
Posters all over the island advertised the exhibition at the Kish International
Showgrounds and encouraged the use of cosmetics. ``God is beautiful and
loves beauty,'' one poster read.
``Iran is the biggest market for cosmetics products in this region,''
Esmaeli said.
Mohammad Ali Hormoudi, a company representative from the United Arab
Emirates, which was represented by the biggest number of manufacturers,
agreed.
``We are doing a brisk business with Iran,'' he said. ``There is great
demand for cosmetics from Iran's over 60-million population.''
Nazila, a heavily made up 18-year old who gave only her first name,
welcomed the exhibition.
``Wearing lipstick and how to dress is something related to the private
life of every individual. Our authorities should understand that they cannot
impose on us what to wear in the 21st century,'' she said.
Nazila said she hoped there would be a similar exhibition on the mainland.
``I don't see anything wrong with it,'' she said, trying on a red lipstick
at one of the stalls.
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