Iraq holds its first fashion show since the 2003 invasion. Let's celebrate this return to normality

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We can all agree to disagree about the wisdom of the 2003 Iraq invasion, but that shouldn’t stop us celebrating [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].
The lights are back on, police recruitment is up, large parts of the
country are stable and a new, democratic constitution guarantees
rights to women and minorities. Best of all, the hairdressers and
beauticians are slowly emerging from the shadows.

Over the weekend, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].
It’s part of an effort to restore the capital’s reputation as a
thriving cosmopolitan centre – a beacon of “decadent” liberalism in a
sea of Islamic puritanism. To quote Agence Frace Presse,

The festival, sponsored by Iraq's Labour
and Tourism Syndicate, brought together a handful of shy participants,
upon whom beauticians and hairdressers showcased their talents, and a
crowd of onlookers in two conference rooms in the hotel where the
festival was held. In one of the conference rooms, experts showed
aspiring beauticians tricks of the trade and best practices, while in
the other, a small platform was set up where three top hairdressers
showed their skills in front of onlookers before their subjects walked
across an adjoining catwalk.

It all sounds rather small scale and timid (Baghdad’s Sadeer Hotel is
no Trump Tower), and that reflects the climate of fear that still
pervades the country. After 2003, beauticians and hairdressers were
targeted for attacks by militants who insisted that women either be
confined to the home or dress plainly in public. Because, as any
theologian worth his salt will tell you, nothing offends God more than a
perm. But as street attacks have declined and freedom has slowly
started to kick in, it’s a tribute to the Iraqi democracy that
hairdressers feel confident enough to come out and display their art.
Although advertising for the event was word of mouth only to reduce the
likelihood of militant attacks.

It’s remarkable how, even in the midst of terrible conflict and
fascism, common humanity always shines through. “Girls want to imitate
fashions around the world,” said Suad Taha, a 20-year old getting a
makeover who could have been any other vain 20-year old from any other
country in the world. Likewise, it’s reassuring to read that [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], while increased security has brought street cafés and even belly dancing “hotspots”. The US embassy [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.],
with first prizes for Best Dressed Gay Icon and Best Lip Synch
Performance. The Christian population has halved across the country, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

The cynic might argue that the best Iraq can do is to return to its
mediocre material condition at the end of Saddam’s rule. A more
charitable interpretation might be that it will slowly regain some of
its wealth with the added bonus of a functioning democracy. But whether
you saw the invasion as a tragic mistake or a flawed attempt to
liberate, the good news is that Baghdadis are persevering and rebuilding
and regaining their former style. When George Clooney’s bought a
holiday villa there then we’ll know that they’ve made it.
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Come on George get it done. Great report, didn't realize there were so many dirty blondes in Iraq..... ;)

They are now stepping onto the world stage