The Iranian people are experiencing one of the most widespread civil unrests in recent times, and women play an essential role, first as voters and now as demonstrators. For them, protesting Iran's current regime goes beyond rallies and marches—it's also about displaying their centuries-old legacy as voluptuaries. Up until 1980, when the Ayatollah Khomeini forced them to trade Chanel for chadors, Persian women were regarded as among the most lovely and stylish in the world. Since then the country's bizarre theocracy has made simple pleasures like wearing makeup or showing off hair grounds for imprisonment (or far worse). Here we salute Persian women as they fight for freedom—and femininity—once again.
Above: Young Iranian women publicly supported presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi long before this week's riots. This woman attended a campaign rally in Tehran on May 23.
Photo: Yalda Moaiery/Document Iran/Corbis
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- The Playboy Forum
Feb 9, 2010
