Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design [Paperback]

Malu Halasa (Author), Rana Salam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2008

The most outrageous and exuberant lingerie in the world comes from a place youd probably never expect: Syria. Adorned with everything from faux fur, artificial flowers, and feathered birds to plastic toy cell phones, these intimates flash lights, play music, even vibrate. Well known across the Middle Eastin Syria the lingerie forms an important part of the folk tradition around trousseaus and weddingsit is openly displayed in the markets and souks. Authors Malu Halasa and Rana Salam have brought together a diverse and dramatic collection of photography and writing, including the voices of Syrian women, celebrating this little-known niche of fashion design in all its playful glory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

London-based journalist Malu Halasa is the author of several books on art and culture.

Rana Salam is an acclaimed graphic designer. She has lectured and exhibited internationally. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (September 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811864588
• ISBN-13: 978-0811864589
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weird, just weird, November 13, 2009

By 

Thomas Ahern (Foster, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design (Paperback)

I have to admit, it was the title that won my heart. Almost anything that would pay off a title this mysterious would be fine, I thought when I purchased this book. I wasn't prepared for a well-documented, pretty serious look at the bizarre (to my American, secular eyes) world of female-underwear marketing in the Middle East. Imagine women, cloaked as conservative Muslim societies demand, out shopping for the most outrageous lingerie, locally dreamt up and stitched, adorned with feathers and who knows what (the cover photo is a pretty normal example), all intended as happy marriage aides, to bring entertainment for husband's eyes only into the privacy of the bedroom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Syrian lingerie unveiled, September 12, 2011

By 

T. L. Smith (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design (Paperback)

A fascinating look at an primarily Islam country affection for (trashy) lingerie. Book is filled with interviews and essays by Syrian men & women about the role lingerie has in a marriage. The women do not buy this lingerie before marriage. A common theme thru the book is that the lingerie is very important to most in a marriage, otherwise & I quote "the men would otherwise stray.".My conclusion is a Syrian woman must be a nun in public & temptress in private. Most of the lingerie in the book is childishly funny. Some of the thongs & bras have cell phone, feathers , flowers, stuffed animals, sequins, tweety bird, some play songs like Old Mac Donald had a farm. A good read and it gives you something to think about.