 Dear
Mr O'Brien,
I have
watched your show for several years in Pakistan and now tune in
to see the Tonight Show on CNBC in London. I think you're an extremely
funny man; there is always something to be said for an unexpected
mix of wry humour and a cockatoo haircut.
A few days ago, while watching your monologue on the Tonight Show
I caught a reference to the first ever Pakistan Fashion Week, followed
by much laughter from the audience (A Fashion Week in Pakistan?).
You wondered aloud what we could possibly show at this surprising
event, and speculated that this was probably a catwalk of the latest
"Burqas."
While I hate to disillusion you - and those of a more Taliban disposition
- it was quite the opposite. Short sassy skirts using traditional
embroidery inventively, revealing evening gowns with bare midriffs
and a fashion faux pas here and there - yes. But sorry, no burqas!
For a change, most of the western Press seems to have realised what
was going on. "Pakistan fashion week defies Taliban with non-Islamic
dress," claimed The Telegraph, "Organizers soldiered on
to show the world that, despite the violence all around them, they
can and will have fashion beyond burqas and go about life as usual,"
said NY Mag and CNN reported that the "heavy cloak of security"
in a country where bombings and Taliban rants are de rigeur helped
make Pakistan fashion week a success.
Pakistan's fashion industry may be small compared to its huge garment
and textiles industry (guess where your Calvin Klein underwear really
comes from?) but it is influential, often iconoclastic and thriving.
And it manages to do that in a country where showing bare arms and
your navel can often be as much of a political stance as a fashion
statement.
It is also an industry I have worked in as a stylist and Fashion
show organizer for over two decades, so trust me when I say that
while you can accuse us of being elitist (not everyone can afford
high fashion or indeed have the inclination/daring to wear it),
and occasionally self absorbed like Fashion people anywhere, please
never throw allegations of Burqa-wear our way. We wouldn't wear
them without our Manolos in any case.
So while we would readily laugh at your burqa punch line, and understand
that humour must be given licence, it is important for us to object
to yet another stereotypical image of Pakistan being thrown at an
unsuspecting American public.
Perhaps this email may at least help you get the slant right in
time for next year's Pakistan Fashion Week.
Regards,
Fifi
Haroon
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