TREND I-SPY

At the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, as many as 26 countries refrained from sending female athletes. However, by Beijing 2008 that list had shrunk to just three nations; Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei. Four years down the line, London 2012 is set to be the first Olympics in history whereby every participating nation will have at least one female representative.  And with the inclusion of women’s boxing, it will also be the first Olympics to involve female athletes in every sport. Saudi Arabia, who had opened the doors for women participants last month, were the last one to complete the numbers when they named two female athletes on July 9.  Middle distance runner, Sarah Attar and Judoka, Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahman Shahrkhani are Saudi’s historic first-ever female Olympic selections. Attar, born in California of mixed Saudi and American parentage, aged 17, is the youngest Arab athlete competing at the Olympics. From renowned photographer, Brigitte Lacombe , an...

According to Vanity Fair , Elizabeth Taylor took her first and only trip to Iran in 1976 with the photographer Firooz Zahedi in tow. The trip resulted in a series of captivating, exotically colorful pictures. In the photograph above, Taylor donned an ensemble that Zahedi says is typical of those worn by tribal women. the actress added coordinating hot-pink lipstick.  Elizabeth Taylor takes a tourist’s snapshot in Persepolis. The actress beams upward at the sunlight in the city of Shiraz at the tomb of Hafez, the controversial 14th-century poet.  Taylor appears covered outside the Shah Chirag Shrine in Shiraz, top left, in this assemblage of four black-and-white photos.  A close-up outside the Shah Chirag Shrine. “Note that there is a man and a woman entering the mosque together,” Zahedi says of the photo. “[That is] no longer possible under the Islamic regime—women have to enter through a separate door and sit in a separate s...

As I've often said, I am rather obsessed with head coverings . I found this wonderful editorial story from the Carine Roitfeld-era of February 2010 French Vogue. Vogue-À-Porter was shot in Morocco by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin.  Another great fashion editorial featuring headscarves.   On the new reality TV show, All American Muslim , which follows the lives of Islamic families living in Deerborn, Michigan, three sisters have different opinions about the necessity of wearing the hajib.  On a recent trip to Dubai another reality star, Kim Kardashian tried on the traditional Muslim garb!

Recently I've been obsessed with the Middle East and with the style of Muslim women who manage to be stylish and yet "sharia-compliant." Although this editorial story from Marie-Claire was staged, it was set in Dubai and the models were all of Middle Eastern or Asian descent.  The juxtaposition between the black abayas and head coverings with the exotic beauty of the models and their luxurious accessories is remarkable. Even though the shoot was back in 2006 it looks completely current and relevant. Models: Narsis, originally from Iran, Navine Khalil from Lebanon, Jenai Kavarana born in Mumbai and half-Palestinian, half-Armenian Samar Breitem from Dubai Photographer: Neil Kirk, Fashion editor: Eric Nicholson.  Originally published in US Marie Claire December 2006...