CHANGE IN EGYPTIAN WOMEN DRESS CODE

Female cairo In Winter 2010 a field research under the name Female Cairo was conducted by Ahmed Al-Adawy and Dina Hany, design students in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Art, The German University in Cairo (GUC). The research aimed at exploring and trying to understand and perhaps classify the different female dress codes of Cairene women and what influences them. This poster is part of an attempt to graphically visualize the findings of that part of the research.

Dress code prototypes & Influences today. 3 5

4

2 Main Features:

Colour pallet

Rating

Narrow and modest. Mostly dull and earthly colours

1.Abaya 2.headscarf 3.Minimal Accessories 4.Lack of make-up

1

Secondary Features: 5.Niqab 6.Gloves

6

Social Classes Varying across all social classes.

Elements of influence

Low

Or

de

ro

f in

flu

en

ce

Ex trem ely c

on s

1

Main Features

Secondary Features

Middle

High

a

Colour pallet

Colour pallet

Few colours per combination, no restrictions on selection

Wide yet modest

4. Heels (in this case sandals)

Main Features 1. Pants (usually baggy) 2. Long blouse/ Top (covering waist)

Secondary Features

Conser vative

2

Mid-high

3

Ex tremely Liberal

1. Top/ T-Shirt/ Blouse. 2. Skirt/ jeans. 3. Make up and accessories

Mid

e tiv

3

er v

Mid-low

2

3. Headscarf (depending on religious influence)

Social Classes Low, Mid-Low, Middle classes and mid-high class (minor, depending on influence of religion)

1

Social Classes High & Mid-classes (minor)

Low

4 Low

Mid-low

Mid

Mid-high

Middle

Lib eral

High

1

3

5

n o i t a m r Defo

Colour pallet

1. Top/ T-Shirt/ Blouse.(not revealing) 2. Long skirt/ jeans. 3. Make up and accessories

Few colours per combination, no restrictions on selection

Mostly vivid

2

Secondary Features

3

6. Boots

Social Classes Low (major), Mid-Low (major) & Middle class (minor)

Low (very minor), MidLow(minor), Middle and Higher classes

6 4

Mid

Mid-high

Middle

High

Secondary Features

Social Classes

Mid-low

Middle

1. Carina body (to cover skin) 2. Top/Dress 3. Skinny jeans 4. Make up and accessories. 5. Headscarf (revealing part of the hair sometimes)

4. Heels

Low

Mid-high

Main Features

2 Colour pallet

Mid

4

1

Main Features

Mid-low

Low

High

Mid-low

Mid

Mid-high

Middle

High

Radical Religious Beliefs Radical islamic beliefs stating that abiding to a certain dress code is a must or is of high priority. Location of Origin: Arab peninsula Channels: Religious publications, institutions, televised Media, talk shows etc.

Traditions Women should not wear revealing clothes or they should cover their hair in front of men Location of Origin: Rural Areas Channels: Members of the family and of the society, televised Media, elementary education.

Western Fashion

Latest fashion trends by worldwide (specially western) designers Location of Origin: Western Countries / Europe Channels: Western televised media, Hollywood, fashion and beauty publications, peers.

Liberalism

Belief in the importance of liberty, equal rights and self expression Location of Origin: Europe Channels: Higher Education, Books, Peers, members of the higher social societies, cognition and perception.

Male perspective Protection from being viewed as a sex object by males. Trying to impress males. Trying to satisfy a specific male point of view. Location of Origin: Unknown Channels: Members of the family, members of the society, cognition and perception

Feminsim Women’s fight for an equal role in the society. Location of Origin: Unknown Channels: Cognition and perception, members of the family, members of the society, publications, books, some televised media, higher education.

© Ahmed Al-Adawy 1-3966 • The German University in Cairo • VIsual Information GD612 • Alexander Tibus • Spring 2011

Elements of Influence