Turbans 'R' Us

Fed up with reading yet another 'witty' angst ridden story of yet another woman attempting to 'test-drive' the turban, i feel an unusual obligation to defend this, granted, rather daring piece of head wear. Having purchased a turban in a vintage store last year i was excited/slightly miffed to see a splattering of them over the spring/summer '07 catwalks. The emphasis here should firstly be on the word splattering, for that's what it was. Ralph Lauren and Prada parading the turban does not an onslaught make!

Left: Ralph Lauren Right: Prada

All the models were sent down the Prada catwalk with sumptuous silk turbans in a variety of opulent colours. Despite the collection being far darker than the average summer wardrobe the turbans were teamed with very wearable - if a little short - pieces. Below is a typical example of one of the starched, patterned tunics Miuccia coupled with headpiece. Ralph Lauren, in contrast, chose to pair the black turban with a diamond brooch, black trouser suit and tie with a white shirt. Exuding power and control the models were radiant with elegance and sophistication.

Aside from it's recent eruption onto the catwalk the turban has, throughout the twentieth century, been indicative of female strength and beauty. This has undoubtedly translated throughout the centuries through Sikhism, from the Old Testament, when the turban was a symbol of dignity, self respect and authority. Europeans have embraced the turban from the eighteenth century but it was from the early twentieth century that it was used as a classic, chic piece of headgear, as seen in with these hat patterns.

The turban has since then been embraced by Hollywood, famously by Joan Crawford and Audrey Hepburn (below).

Why, then, are people so shocked and disinclined to promote the current flux of turbans in the world of fashion? In particular, why are people so ready to mock and giggle at what they presume to be fashion's most recent ridiculous trend? One can only presume they are wearing the look wrong, as Prada and Ralph Lauren have, as discussed earlier, depicted clearly wearable ways to adopt the headpiece. Tonight i am defiantly wearing my turban to the pub and i'm sure will not experience the hysteria so many fashion journalists seem to have faced!