The Turban Twist

Turbans are symbolic headdress, worn throughout history to convey difference in levels of purity, religiosity, social-status, by men of various racial and socioeconomic persuasion throughout the Middle East and South Asia.

But as Suzy Menkes of IHT so succinctly surmised, “Miuccia Prada has seen the woman of the future—and she is wearing a slipper satin surgical tunic and (an) Indian turban.”

Prada was not alone in bringing the turban trend to fashionistas for spring 2007; check out Moschino and Derek Lam. It would be easy to assume that Western designers are engaging in political commentary, but the turban has graced the heads of models in years past at Valentino, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, etc.

If I run into you next season sporting the Prada turban, I may remark that your attempts at signifying feminist appropriation are simply marvelous darling! But silently I’ll be judging your desperate need to affirm your social status (mostly because Miuccia refuses to send me any freebees).

— Mili Narayen

1. October 23, 2006, 12:11 am Ismat

   Those models’ legs look gross.
2. October 23, 2006, 1:27 am Mili

   What you talkin’ about Willis? Those gams are sexy!
3. October 23, 2006, 1:42 am Mili

   Uhm….seriously…did I just date myself by quoting Arnold?
4. October 23, 2006, 2:29 am Pavani

   I like the one that Chanel Iman (what a great name for a model!) is wearing in Derek Lam’s collection, and even some of the head wraps/turbans in Moschino’s, but these just make me think of the base for a Carmen Miranda-style headpiece.
5. October 23, 2006, 4:25 pm kate

   Interesting… yet, turbans are worn by women today… the Sikh religion for example - i have seen many women wear the turban who are Sikh… and they do it exquisitively!
6. June 30, 2008, 4:30 am hibobeauty

   Beautiful…..but if you guys want to see more turbans like this, go to our website www.hibobeauty.com which is professional only for turbans. Have fun!!!!