I found Moroccan author Fatima Mernissi on this funny blog called Muslims Wearing Things and instantly fell madly in love with her look.
Take a gander:
Seriously, wow!! Contrast Ms. Mernissi with your typical older American woman in a pair of frumpy faded jeans and a Disney sweat shirt. They’re not even on the same planet of beauty, power, self-knowledge, self-respect, and impact.
Notice, also, that Mernissi understands that you do NOT pair dramatic garments (such lush, gorgeous textiles!!) and huge, fabulous jewelry with an UNMADE-UP FACE. PeaceBang is getting SO TIRED OF THAT LOOK SHE IS READY TO SCREAM!
The lips! The smoldering eyes! The knowing expression! The fun chapeau! She’s an artist, she is claiming her space, she is not trying to be comfortable (as if that is the highest value – pfftt!) and she doesn’t shy from glamour.
Love it, love her, so incredibly inspired!
Perhaps if Juan Williams had read your blog he might have thought a bit more about what he said and he would still have a job at NPR. [Oy vey. I mean… WHAT THE HELL. And then everyone jumps on NPR… and here we go with more divisive drama. – PB]
Another blog that features Mernissi and takes issue with Williams… http://muslimswearingthings.tumblr.com/
[Hi Courtney, that’s where I found Mernissi from. – PB]
Nevertheless, a fabulous woman.
Love her sense of color.
AND I’d chime in that lovely need not be uncomfortable!! I think of that wonderful quote from heaven-in-Narnia, the “new” Narnia:
But in Narnia your good clothes were never your uncomfortable clothes. They knew how to make things that felt beautiful as well as looking beautiful in Narnia: and there was no such thing as starch or flannel or elastic to be found from one end of the country to the other.
Spoken like a one-time Eton boy. But YES, this seems to me what we should be striving for.