A huge round of applause as the level of couture is raised in Midtown – a concrete jungle of poor fashion taste. How does one successfully navigate the gauntlet of an Etro-ish scarf, black leather jacket, and brown equestrian handbag? This is how. Also, excellent layering strategy during a time of year when the 25 degree temperature differential in NYC during the day is a constant challenge.
This gal will probably be dropping layers later in the day. Leather gets warm easily if it’s not windy.
Look how much better this scarf looks than the one earlier in the week. It’s a lighter fabric, more fitting for warmer early fall weather. It has a similar weight to the shirt she’s got on underneath. I think this is well done, and I like the bag too.
When I was in highschool those scarves were considered to be in soldarity with Palestine. Is that still the case? It seems a bit of a politcal statement.
Bravo! Another amazing and inspiring shot. Love the attitude and how she nonchalantly wrapped her scarf. Was she going on a go-see? Want to see her shoes and her bag. Looks either vintage or MiuMiu. I can’t wait to see your shots for upcoming fashion week.
The scarf underneath looks like alexander mcqueen black & white skull scarf wrapped once around her neck. The woolen tied one looks similar to the controversial one matt lauer wore.
I have no idea if people will be offended by it, but I have to agree with the “11:33 am anonymous” on the following: people often ignore the meaning of what they wear. I have no idea if this is one of those cases, but the “shemagh” is not just another scarf, of course. It has a meaning, as other symbols do, religious, ethnical or political ones. To wear these sort of items for purely aesthetic reasons is, in the least, being out of touch with the rest of the world.
great look …… she probably has no idea what the political meaning is , she’s a model not a PolySci major !!!! not a big deal , and anyway the palestinians will never miss a chance to miss a chance
The keffiyeh has tassled edges the whole way along … the scarf tied around her neck in a knot appears not to have tassled edges – only tassled ends. I don’t think it’s the keffiyeh, just similar – I agree with the above posters – she is indeed wearing 2 scarves.
She is very beautiful, but the outfit? It’s completely ordinary, isn’t it? Go to any European university and the place’ll be crawling with young women dressed like this. It’s just a little bit boring. I love this blog but I’m here for the photographs of interesting ensembles – of people trying slightly different looks – rather than pictures of models dressed like everyone else, I guess.
It is clearly a keffiyeh. I have many, all of which were purchased in Lebanon and Jordan, where they are as common as they are in Palestine. I wear mine because they are practical, comfortable, attractive, and, to be sure, because I am pro-Palestine.
The notion that they are some sort of “played-out” hipster accessory just betrays an enormous amount of ignorance. Even more absurd is the possibility that wearing one would somehow be offensive. Is wearing a yarmukle offensive? Does wearing a krama make someone pro-Khmer Rouge?
I agree with what Claudia said–not that I find it _offensive_ per se (I’m not that tapped into the complete semiotics of the scarf), but points definitely dropped for me when I saw the scarf. Clueless, random, and thus in mild bad taste–unless she does indeed know what she’s wearing. Sort of like a clueless gentile picking up a yarmulke and wearing it in the street because it looked cool…
Other than that, she’s a dream of a look and an image. Straight out of a Mike and Chris catalog. It’s interesting to find that some models _do_ look as fabulous and evocative in person as they do on the magazine pages.
There’s an excellent article about the “Yassar Arafat” scarf at http://footpathzeitgeist.blogspot.com/ Scroll down to the Thursday, May 04, 2006 blog, called “Free your signifier and the rest will follow”.
It’s unlikely that the girl understands the drama behind the scarf and more likely that she saw it at one of the cheap stands at every other corner in Amsterdam or Barcelona. The jacket and hair is great, but the scarf reminds me of a European middle school student… if only she’s coupled it with a Che Guevara t-shirt.
Yes, I have to agree that her look is very Lou Doillon, but it’s also a look that many, many young women in New York and Europe (Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, etc) have adopted. Maybe a year and a half ago one would say, wow, she’s so cool. Today you can sort of pull together a version (a cheaper one, of course) of her get-up at Urban Outfitters. That’s when you know it’s time to move on.
It’s a keffiyeh. Not all of them have tassels around the end.
Palestine Solidarity is hawt again! German kids were wearing these all through the 80s.
I was at a party last night and a friend of mine had a pink and grey striped woollen sweater, Flock of Seagulls hair, and a keffiyeh tied just so. It rocked.
“why should a scarf, politically motivated or otherwise, offend people?
grow up. people have different opinions.”
Amen! It is only in the US that affinity for the Middle East is seen as ‘offensive’ or has to be explained away by insulting the wearer. I have several kaffiehs that I carry with pride. This is not a religious symbol, it is a regional garment whose patterns vary within Jordan, Iraq etc. Fashion is also about statement and politics of various guises, people..
she’s a model not a PolySci major !!!! ……. she looks awesome , has no clue what she’s wearing in a political sense( unless she’s wearing a bomb belt !!! ) just in a fashion sense …. love the 2 scarves
Someone down there in the list of comments said that it was “unlikely” that she “understood” the significance of her scarf. Why? Because she’s a model? That seems unfair, though there is something a little unnerving about a fashionista wearing such a politically charged garment- it’s easy to presume that it’s a vacuous gesture. But who knows? Maybe the Fabulous Freja is in real life an ardent political activist. To those who left comments to the effect of ‘it’s only a scarf’- wake up people. Watch the news. I’m sure Freja does. At least I hope she does. Theh again, maybe she doesn’t. Jeez, the fashion world can be so unbearably postmodern…
i love shemaghs and I don’t think anyone should be offended by them. i love mine. its the warmest scarf i own and its incredibly soft. i also have no problem that it is associated with palestine. if dont know the history…
Being Danish – like Freja Beha in the picture – I can assure everyone that the scarf is a completely non-political accessory. A lot of people in Denmark wear them – and have for years. Not very controversial…
By the way, why do you never see women wearing the keffiya in the middle east? It’s only for men. Good going promoting a culture that considers you a second class citezen!
Freja is from copenhagen( so am i, though i lived in NY 4ever). Freja ALWAYS wear her skinny jeans, a white tank & a leather jacket when fall arrives…want’s to stay comfy when going on fittings for all the biggeste shows in NY, she never dresses up..she doesn’t need to. Get over with – Freja is indeed aware of her statement,when wearing the scarf – a gorgeous model , smart & feminie look w/out trying at all – how gorgeous is she!!! Our great Danish designer henrik Vibskov had the scarf all over london a couple of years ago…it’s fall & she is wearing retro, that’s all.thanks ccny@mac.com
does anyone knows how to tie this classic arafat scarf exactly like hers? hihi need help cause it’s realy big piece of square clothe and i really dont have any idea of how to start
John and Sarah
September 7, 2006 at 9:25 am
A huge round of applause as the level of couture is raised in Midtown – a concrete jungle of poor fashion taste. How does one successfully navigate the gauntlet of an Etro-ish scarf, black leather jacket, and brown equestrian handbag? This is how. Also, excellent layering strategy during a time of year when the 25 degree temperature differential in NYC during the day is a constant challenge.
RoseAG
September 7, 2006 at 9:42 am
This gal will probably be dropping layers later in the day. Leather gets warm easily if it’s not windy.
Look how much better this scarf looks than the one earlier in the week. It’s a lighter fabric, more fitting for warmer early fall weather. It has a similar weight to the shirt she’s got on underneath. I think this is well done, and I like the bag too.
The Yassar Arafat scarf is a classic!
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:00 am
she looks fierce, amazing. Very inspiring! And her hairstyle suits her so well.
F.A.
September 7, 2006 at 10:02 am
It’s Freja … the international modeling sensation.. pretty cool, Sart
Jonathon
September 7, 2006 at 10:05 am
Agree with the above two comments. She looks like a rockstar. In a good way.
Tamberk
September 7, 2006 at 10:07 am
Favorite model of the moment, La bella Freja Beha!
Yes!!!
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:08 am
Is that Freja? Fashion week is almost upon us after all.
Alice Olive
September 7, 2006 at 10:18 am
Love the scarf. Don’t know if the diagonal of her shirt is intentional, but it looks great!
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:18 am
When I was in highschool those scarves were considered to be in soldarity with Palestine. Is that still the case? It seems a bit of a politcal statement.
Lit
September 7, 2006 at 10:20 am
Amazing, she looks wonderful.
Jessica
September 7, 2006 at 10:23 am
now that look is beautiful!
stella b.
September 7, 2006 at 10:45 am
“she looks fierce, amazing. Very inspiring! And her hairstyle suits her so well.”
ditto, ditto, ditto!
Rafe
September 7, 2006 at 10:49 am
Bravo! Another amazing and inspiring shot. Love the attitude and how she nonchalantly wrapped her scarf. Was she going on a go-see? Want to see her shoes and her bag. Looks either vintage or MiuMiu. I can’t wait to see your shots for upcoming fashion week.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:51 am
She’s a Euro-hippie, updated and polished. And she is beautiful.
Lorna
September 7, 2006 at 10:56 am
Very Lou Doillon. I love the undone hair. And the casual chic.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:56 am
a contemporary classic. totally fits into the zeitgeist.
rosalie
September 7, 2006 at 11:15 am
Freja Beha!!! Just love her!!
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 11:33 am
To ignore the political connotations seems flat-out ignorant. I won’t get into it here…but be aware that this ‘look’ will offend many.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 11:55 am
Those scarves are an indie rock thing. Bands like the libertines were wearing them about four or five years ago.
Rafe
September 7, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Upon closer inspection, she’s wearing a Burberry bag. Scary that I can tell from even a side view detail.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 12:39 pm
The scarf underneath looks like alexander mcqueen black & white skull scarf wrapped once around her neck. The woolen tied one looks similar to the controversial one matt lauer wore.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 12:52 pm
If it is indeed the keffiyeh (which i doubt) then that’s her choice. To all those who take offence, many do not.
Cláudia
September 7, 2006 at 1:07 pm
I have no idea if people will be offended by it, but I have to agree with the “11:33 am anonymous” on the following: people often ignore the meaning of what they wear. I have no idea if this is one of those cases, but the “shemagh” is not just another scarf, of course. It has a meaning, as other symbols do, religious, ethnical or political ones. To wear these sort of items for purely aesthetic reasons is, in the least, being out of touch with the rest of the world.
hoi polloi
September 7, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Every hipster in europe owns one of those scarves. Not too original actually
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 1:48 pm
on top of everything, the leather jacket is what pulls the whole look together.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 2:04 pm
The scarf’s a keffiyeh – and this isn’t Euro-hippie so much as Bruce Dickinson in the ’80s
jack
September 7, 2006 at 3:06 pm
gotta love those PLAYED OUT arab scarves
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 3:14 pm
great look …… she probably has no idea what the political meaning is , she’s a model not a PolySci major !!!! not a big deal , and anyway the palestinians will never miss a chance to miss a chance
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 3:31 pm
she’s 95% there . . the scarf (as a fashion accessory) has died a hipster death; unless it is being worn full-intentioned.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 3:42 pm
The keffiyeh has tassled edges the whole way along … the scarf tied around her neck in a knot appears not to have tassled edges – only tassled ends. I don’t think it’s the keffiyeh, just similar – I agree with the above posters – she is indeed wearing 2 scarves.
Tamberk
September 7, 2006 at 4:03 pm
…p.s.- saw her today in Soho and she looked great!
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 4:19 pm
It’s Freja! One of my favourite models of the moment. She looks great! Good shot Sart… maybe we will be seeing more models because of fashion week? :)
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 5:01 pm
very la. i see that look just about every night i go out.
Audrey
September 7, 2006 at 5:06 pm
She is very beautiful, but the outfit? It’s completely ordinary, isn’t it? Go to any European university and the place’ll be crawling with young women dressed like this. It’s just a little bit boring. I love this blog but I’m here for the photographs of interesting ensembles – of people trying slightly different looks – rather than pictures of models dressed like everyone else, I guess.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 5:38 pm
It is clearly a keffiyeh. I have many, all of which were purchased in Lebanon and Jordan, where they are as common as they are in Palestine. I wear mine because they are practical, comfortable, attractive, and, to be sure, because I am pro-Palestine.
The notion that they are some sort of “played-out” hipster accessory just betrays an enormous amount of ignorance. Even more absurd is the possibility that wearing one would somehow be offensive. Is wearing a yarmukle offensive? Does wearing a krama make someone pro-Khmer Rouge?
Julie
September 7, 2006 at 6:26 pm
I agree with what Claudia said–not that I find it _offensive_ per se (I’m not that tapped into the complete semiotics of the scarf), but points definitely dropped for me when I saw the scarf. Clueless, random, and thus in mild bad taste–unless she does indeed know what she’s wearing.
Sort of like a clueless gentile picking up a yarmulke and wearing it in the street because it looked cool…
Other than that, she’s a dream of a look and an image. Straight out of a Mike and Chris catalog. It’s interesting to find that some models _do_ look as fabulous and evocative in person as they do on the magazine pages.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 6:32 pm
About 8mths ago Gawker commented on the played-out palastina scarves as every wanna-be hipster at Misshapes went through a phase of wearing them…
Scallywag
September 7, 2006 at 7:57 pm
She looks amazing –
There’s an excellent article about the “Yassar Arafat” scarf at http://footpathzeitgeist.blogspot.com/ Scroll down to the Thursday, May 04, 2006 blog, called “Free your signifier and the rest will follow”.
Anonymous
September 7, 2006 at 10:17 pm
It’s unlikely that the girl understands the drama behind the scarf and more likely that she saw it at one of the cheap stands at every other corner in Amsterdam or Barcelona. The jacket and hair is great, but the scarf reminds me of a European middle school student… if only she’s coupled it with a Che Guevara t-shirt.
ken
September 7, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Yes, I have to agree that her look is very Lou Doillon, but it’s also a look that many, many young women in New York and Europe (Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, etc) have adopted. Maybe a year and a half ago one would say, wow, she’s so cool. Today you can sort of pull together a version (a cheaper one, of course) of her get-up at Urban Outfitters. That’s when you know it’s time to move on.
*The Dreamer*
September 8, 2006 at 3:59 am
I quite like the combination of the leather jacket and thin scarf. The whole layer thing does well with her hair.
rosbif
September 8, 2006 at 4:56 am
She’s very beautiful but the scarf and Bon Jovi hair make me think of bored kids hanging around French villages in the 1980s.
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 5:02 am
she’s attractive. a very 80s outfit, though well done. Yassir Arafat scarf adds to 80s lefty college feel.
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 9:07 am
It’s a keffiyeh. Not all of them have tassels around the end.
Palestine Solidarity is hawt again! German kids were wearing these all through the 80s.
I was at a party last night and a friend of mine had a pink and grey striped woollen sweater, Flock of Seagulls hair, and a keffiyeh tied just so. It rocked.
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 10:04 am
The scarf bothers me.
- AthenaNY
comtedamour
September 8, 2006 at 10:19 am
she is all me….wow.
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 11:56 am
“why should a scarf, politically motivated or otherwise, offend people?
grow up. people have different opinions.”
Amen! It is only in the US that affinity for the Middle East is seen as ‘offensive’ or has to be explained away by insulting the wearer. I have several kaffiehs that I carry with pride. This is not a religious symbol, it is a regional garment whose patterns vary within Jordan, Iraq etc. Fashion is also about statement and politics of various guises, people..
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 12:43 pm
she’s a model not a PolySci major !!!! ……. she looks awesome , has no clue what she’s wearing in a political sense( unless she’s wearing a bomb belt !!! ) just in a fashion sense …. love the 2 scarves
furiousdove
September 8, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Someone down there in the list of comments said that it was “unlikely” that she “understood” the significance of her scarf. Why? Because she’s a model? That seems unfair, though there is something a little unnerving about a fashionista wearing such a politically charged garment- it’s easy to presume that it’s a vacuous gesture. But who knows? Maybe the Fabulous Freja is in real life an ardent political activist. To those who left comments to the effect of ‘it’s only a scarf’- wake up people. Watch the news. I’m sure Freja does. At least I hope she does. Theh again, maybe she doesn’t. Jeez, the fashion world can be so unbearably postmodern…
Anonymous
September 8, 2006 at 5:25 pm
she looks like she’s choking, maybe she should loosen up a bit with the neck accessories. but she looks great. what shoes was she wearing?
eurobrat
September 8, 2006 at 9:06 pm
Love Freja.
rachel.
September 8, 2006 at 10:58 pm
i love shemaghs and I don’t think anyone should be offended by them. i love mine. its the warmest scarf i own and its incredibly soft. i also have no problem that it is associated with palestine. if dont know the history…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shemagh
eva
September 10, 2006 at 12:13 am
love the badass attitude!
velocity girl
September 10, 2006 at 11:20 am
There’s something about her, this Freja girl.
Line
September 10, 2006 at 3:24 pm
Being Danish – like Freja Beha in the picture – I can assure everyone that the scarf is a completely non-political accessory. A lot of people in Denmark wear them – and have for years. Not very controversial…
killer
September 11, 2006 at 9:15 am
those scarfs are huge in Benelux. so hot.
Anonymous
September 11, 2006 at 1:19 pm
beautifully done! the hair, the scarf and the jacket…
Anonymous
September 11, 2006 at 1:23 pm
beautifully done! the hair, the scarf and the jacket… great, layed-back yet strong attitude.
V. Price
September 12, 2006 at 11:55 am
By the way, why do you never see women wearing the keffiya in the middle east? It’s only for men. Good going promoting a culture that considers you a second class citezen!
Anonymous
September 13, 2006 at 7:58 pm
living for freja right now!!!!!!
Anonymous
September 14, 2006 at 5:43 pm
I love Freja…. she’s just amazing and soooooo beautiful. :D
Anonymous
September 14, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Freja is from copenhagen( so am i, though i lived in NY 4ever). Freja ALWAYS wear her skinny jeans, a white tank & a leather jacket when fall arrives…want’s to stay comfy when going on fittings for all the biggeste shows in NY, she never dresses up..she doesn’t need to.
Get over with – Freja is indeed aware of her statement,when wearing the scarf – a gorgeous model , smart & feminie look w/out trying at all – how gorgeous is she!!! Our great Danish designer henrik Vibskov had the scarf all over london a couple of years ago…it’s fall & she is wearing retro, that’s all.thanks ccny@mac.com
ilovesecondhandsmoke
November 24, 2006 at 7:17 pm
She looks great and she sings incrrrrrrrrredibly well.
Seriously. Way better than Irina or Kate.
Anonymous
April 13, 2007 at 6:44 pm
She is Freja !! A new top-model (Chanel, Gucci). She is great.
Anonymous
May 6, 2007 at 1:18 pm
does anyone knows how to tie this classic arafat scarf exactly like hers? hihi need help cause it’s realy big piece of square clothe and i really dont have any idea of how to start