Are you a traditionally dressed Muslim woman who is simply SICK of being profiled because you choose to cover your head? Are you harassed every time you go to the airport? Well now there is a potential solution to your problems (thanks for tip Vikram). Introducing the Counter-Surveillance Headdress (Click on thumbnails to enlarge):
The purpose of the “Counter-Surveillance Headdress” is to empower the wearer by allowing him/her to claim a moment of privacy.
The design of the headdress borrows from Islamic and Hindu fashion. The reason behind this is to comment on the racial profiling of Arab and Arab-looking citizens that occurred post-9/11. Unfortunately the fear of terrorism led to the targeting of those of non-western decent. Therefore in its design my headdress is a contradiction; meaning although it’s goal is to hide the wearer it would make the wearer a target of heightened surveillance.
The “Counter-Surveillance Headdress” is a laser tikka (forehead ornament) attached to a hooded vest and reflective shawl. The laser is activated by pressing a button enclosed in the left shoulder area of the vest. When pointed directly into a camera lens, the laser creates a burst of light masking the wearer’s face. Additionally the wearer can use the reflective cloth to cover the face and head. The aluminized material protects the wearer by reflecting any infrared radiation and also disguises the wearer by visually reflecting the surroundings, rendering the wearer’s identity anonymous.
Call me crazy but I like the reflective shawl. The woman behind this great idea seems to be one Gloria Sed. Her website contains other examples of utilitarian fasions as well. I know what you are thinking. This could be a great Christmas present.
you know, there is a certain charm to it! i want one. i always want soemthing fun which i can cause a bit of a stir with. now, if only they could make soemthing that could counteract the other latest governmental attempts to tap into our privacy. and besides, it’s a shiny shal thing! i loovveeee shiny stuff!
I’ve never heard a tikka called a ‘forehead ornament’ before.
Hey guys, how do I look? Nice ornament Pooja!
Mmmm … must buy those “ornaments” for my sharks …
No being a head-scarf wearin’ gal myself, I’m not entirely qualified to comment.
But in the name of female fashion everywhere, I must speak out:
THAT is the fugliest thing I’ve seen in a season of leggings and other 80s era atrocities.
She looks like she’s wrapped in the sun-reflector foil thing from her car.
The tikka ornatment belongs to a Deep Space 9 – Stargate SG1 convention.
The statement of purpose makes no sense. (And should read “non-Western descent“).
In other news, I have no sense of humor and seem to be taking this far too seriously…
Sigh. Cicatrix you just don’t understand what attracts (some) men, do you? 🙂
Oy! I went as Ensign Ro to a Space themed costume party…
and um.. if I didn’t understand bfore what gets certain men to turn their phasers on stun, I certainly did then 😉
Oh, Ensign Ro. She was quite the insubordinate one. 🙂
Did you know, Michelle Forbes (Ensign Ro) played no less than 3 different characters in Star Trek?
‘Ro’ is also an exceedingly good way to begin your name.