When Iranian women were free -- here are 16 images showing an unknown and forgotten past

by Shirley Marie Bradby

November 13, 2017

When Iranian women were free -- here are 16 images showing an unknown and forgotten past
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If you associate the words "women" and "Iran" in your mind probably you immediately see the images of figures with indistinct forms, with large shapeless clothes, and hair hidden under a scarf.

Until the Islamic Revolution in 1979, however, Iranian women presented themselves to the world in a very different way and followed fashion trends very similar to Westerners.

The repression of their freedom of expression has been very strong but fortunately, now things have begun to slowly change.

Here is a glimpse of Iranian women and their history that you may never have known or seen before.

Faces wearing makeup, fashionable clothing, and revealing necklines, once years ago, it was possible for Iranian women to display their physical beauty.

Faces wearing makeup, fashionable clothing, and revealing necklines, once years ago, it was possible for Iranian women to display their physical beauty.

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Today, instead, if it were not for the writing in Arabic, we would hardly associate these faces and images with Iran.

Today, instead, if it were not for the writing in Arabic, we would hardly associate these faces and images with Iran.

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Yet, as you can see, until 1979, Iranian women followed the same fashion trends as all their Western peers.

Yet, as you can see, until 1979, Iranian women followed the same fashion trends as all their Western peers.

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They had the same desire to decide for themselves and the same desire to feel comfortable wearing the clothes they chose.

They had the same desire to decide for themselves and the same desire to feel comfortable wearing the clothes they chose.

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In all these years since then, many of them have only been allowed to wear some makeup, to satisfy their desire to wear bright and pretty colors, that has never left them.

In all these years since then, many of them have only been allowed to wear some makeup, to satisfy their desire to wear bright and pretty colors, that has never left them.

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To return to those days of having the freedom of choice will still take some time ...

To return to those days of having the freedom of choice will still take some time ...

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But today there are encouraging signs that Iranian women want to return to having the possibility to decide for themselves what clothes and makeup they can wear.

But today there are encouraging signs that Iranian women want to return to having the possibility to decide for themselves what clothes and makeup they can wear.

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The restrictions imposed on Iranian women have begun to be contested not only by them but also by many men! Soon the world will once again see Iranian women with their hair blowing freely in the wind ...

The restrictions imposed on Iranian women have begun to be contested not only by them but also by many men! Soon the world will once again see Iranian women with their hair blowing freely in the wind ...

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