Vogue Goes Rogue: Fawning Over Wife of Syria's President Assad

Syria is being rocked by protests. Many people in Syria long for democracy. Yet currently they have a dictator who was elected with a 97% "vote." Despite that, now Vogue magazine has published a glowing profile about Dictator Assad's wife. Could a magazine be more clueless and less relevant to today's world?

The Vogue magazine article about Asma al-Assad, the wife of Dictator Assad in Syria, paints a rosy picture of their life. Since Syria denies its people freedom, a positive article about the dictator's wife is vile.

The introduction to the Vogue article says Assad wants to "put a modern face on her husband's regime." Ahem, regime is a word with very negative connotations. It infers violence and oppression of the people.

Assad says she wants the young people in Syria to engage in "active citizenship." Well the young people of Syria certainly are being active. They are protesting to remove the dictator!

Asma al-Assad grew up in London. She knew Syria as a tourist when her family vacationed there. Has she seen the dark side of her new country or is she in denial? Let's just say that Syria is one of the countries where the United States allegedly sent its prisoners to be tortured.

Vogue needs to stick with fashion and avoid articles about any wife of a dictator. Dictators are evil and Vogue is clueless. Why would Vogue romanticize the life of a dictator and his family? Shame on Vogue. To see the gushing Vogue article go here.

Vogue already had a lot of issues that need to be addressed. Its models are often below legal age for that kind of work. The models in Vogue are also so thin at times they look like an advertisement for anorexia. Also, this magazine promotes obscenely overpriced fashions.

So in light of all that, to run an article about the life of a dictator's wife is beyond crass. The people of Syria lack democracy. Thus, Vogue's piece on the dictator's wife is stomach turning.

Vogue has long glamorized a life of wasteful spending on frivolous frocks. Some handbags promoted in the magazine cost more than a middle class person earns in a month. High fashion is a financial hazard for most women.

Vogue seems like something from back in the day of the Great Gatsby. It is now outdated and extremely out of touch with the reality of the world. While revolution sweeps the Middle East, Vogue is kissing up to a dictator. To see a video of the unrest on the streets of Syria go here

I am not anti-fashion. I have had my fair share of fashionista moments, especially when I worked in New York City. However, I prefer fashion from deep sales or at thrift shops. I enjoy getting brand new items from thrift stores that still have the tags on. There are also some amazing garage sales in ritzy areas nearby. And now that I'm a freelance writer, I get to ignore fashion but for the weekends.

I also love vintage items. The dress I have gotten the most compliments on ever is from an outdoor flea market in Greenwich, England. When I wear it I get compliments all day. I paid a small amount for the dress. Thus I know that despite Vogue's over priced fashions, you do not have to pay a lot of money for fun fashion.

My mother was a model before she married and my grandmother was a seamstress at a ritzy store. Thus, I grew up around women who had worked in fashion and appreciated fine clothing. However, they were frugal and found their fashion fix on the cheap.

And while back in my 20s I read Vogue and in recent years sometimes browse through it at the Library, that is all over. I like my reading to promote the better values in life, not oppression of an entire country by a dictator. Shame on Vogue!

Sources:

Vogue

LA TImes