Uncategorized | November 19, 2004

Fernand Le Block, a major player in French Parliament, finally admitted in a recent issue of Cleo that the real reason the French government almost unanimously passed Article 141-5-1, dubbed the “head-scarf” law,” was that France has a reputation to maintain as the fashion capital of the world. “We can’t have girls attending our state funded schools with such a look. It’s lazy couture.” Article 141-5- 1 has caused controversy in France and debate in the United States.

John Ashcroft called the decision “Godless.” But Le Block said the decision had only to do with looking chic. “When I was a child, I refused to let my mother out of the house in pink sponge curlers and a silk scarf. This is no different.” Le Block said that he made a quick call to his close acquaintance Jean Paul Gautier to see if he could design a more fashionable head covering He said the designer’s first idea looked like a baby bottle nipple but he is still at work. Le Block is optimistic that the country will have a stylish alternative to the hejab soon. To hasten the process, the artistic community, writers among them, has been asked to send in sketches to Gautier. Bestselling French novelist Eustach Le Brun sent in two quick drawings inspired by the bonnets she wore as a little girl. “Madeline hats, I guess you’d call them. They’re school girls after all.” Renowned historian Simon Deruet would like a return to the Rococo style of Marie Antoninette’s hats: “Butterflies, birds, painted cupids, tree branches, ships, many plumes. Eighteenth-century French millinery was magical. It is an opportunity to return to true high fashion.”

In the meantime, while the young girls are going around scarf less in accordance to the new law, Le Block hopes they at least get a smart haircut and a few highlights.