Beyond The Birkin

It’s been a lousy year for Pakistan even by its own abysmally low standards. An emancipated governor was assassinated by his own security guard,a dreaded terrorist was found living virtually in the midst of their army,and it has been voted as “the most dangerous country on earth” by Newsweek. So when one of the woefully few female legislators turns up for an important meeting flaunting a $10,000 handbag,it perpetuates all the existing myths of the exotic,flamboyant lifestyles of the Pakistani elite.

Not to take away from their achievements,truly remarkable in such hostile conditions,but most of Pakistan’s women politicians are fashionable lookers (obvious examples are Sherry Rahman and Maleeha Lodhi,but there are others). Possibly,because the only women who manage to break into the male-dominated Parliament are the ones equipped with foreign degrees,influence and family wealth. For them,owning a Birkin comes perfectly naturally,like it does to many of India’s rich women. Contrast them with most of our top female politicians,who come from nowhere and who’ve been voted into power. Though they like the good life too. (One is an indomitable chief minister,who is supposed to own a Birkin in every colour,while another hasn’t repeated a sari in 20 years). But noteworthy among them is Mamta Banerjee,who wiped out her competitors in the last election wearing hawai chappals.

Dress codes in all careers have become elastic and more casual. Blame it on Silicon Valley tycoons whose uniform seems to be dishevelled blue jeans with sneakers. They’ve changed the world’s perception on clothes,deeming them practically inconsequential for success. Dress codes are less about fashion,and more about being appropriate. Some instinctive rules will always apply: you don’t wear a red dress to a funeral or torn jeans to a wedding. When you’re in the public eye,like Kate Middleton for example,you cleverly choose five high-street labels and one by Dior,so the British public doesn’t question taxpayers’ money being wasted on outfitting a princess. Similarly,if you’re a politician from a country ravaged by terrorism,natural calamities and debt,you’re better off drawing attention to issues bigger than a handbag.

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