Paris Hilton collection is a big hit in the United Arab Emirates; misguided parents and teachers shocked

Reported by The National Arab Emirates

Mothers may be pushing their girls into designer gear while teachers remain oblivious, but they are all clear about one thing: Paris Hilton is no role model for Emirati girls.

Yet the range of bags and accessories named after and promoted by the model and heiress – who was described by one mother as “disgusting” – is a big hit in schools.

“How could you buy her things?” asked Bridin Harnett, a guidance counsellor at Al Nahda International School. “You see this woman drunk and doing all sorts of bad things.”

The girls, however, said they thought her collection was “very cute”.

“I don’t think she is pretty, but her perfumes are so nice,” said Sofia Amharech, a 16-year-old Moroccan at the school. “I like Paris Hilton things, her shop is cute.”

Others agreed that the products were “cool”, “unique”, and “new”.

But mothers expressed concern that by letting their daughters carry her products, they appeared to endorse the model’s far from conservative lifestyle.

“I refuse to let my daughter even go into this shop,” said Umm Omar.

But Sarah Najeeb, 17, from Abu Dhabi, disagreed. Buying the branded goods was not a sign of support for Ms Hilton, she insisted.

From: admin
Time: January 22, 2011, 9:56 pm

The typical Middle Eastern way of thinking. This is the result of people watching the Simple Life and thinking it’s real. Part of it is Paris’ fault. Part of it is a culture clash. A big part of it is the media’s fault, always trashing Paris and associating her with “bad things”.

The media is no role model for girls, not Paris. Why don’t these parents point out to their daughters some positive aspects of Paris instead of always thinking negatively. Oh, but their media hasn’t thought them anything postive.

From: scot
Time: January 22, 2011, 10:11 pm

My face reading this was “D:” I was expecting even the slighest bit of positivity. I mean, it’s great her stuff is selling and her brand is liked but to say the things they’re saying about Paris personally is waaaaaaay out of line. I know Paris has done some things that probably shouldn’t be mirrored, but she’s such a positive figure. It’s part of the reason I appreciate her so much. She’s always sent out the message to just be yourself, be who you are and just go for it. Confidence in who you are and being happy with yourself. Blargh. Very much a culture clash and once again the media giving the common people a vague and wrong idea of who Paris Hilton is.

From: missy
Time: January 23, 2011, 7:49 am

It’s the cultural difference. They don’t even allow alcohol, so Paris’ drug bust in their eyes is extremely bad. Secondly, women have a very different rules. This is probably the same reason why BFF Dubai never happened. Paris won’t tune it down and they won’t allow anything too “wild.”

From: Benji
Time: January 23, 2011, 9:11 am

People drink & take drugs. Including celebrities. It happens, get over it! I dont get why Paris is so crucified though. Madonna said she did ecstasy with the head of Warner Records after he signed her. Cameron Diaz said she bought pot of Snoop Dogg as a teenager recently. And Lady Gaga admits to using cocaine frequently. Ok for them to brag about it & noone even blinks!

From: retrograde
Time: January 23, 2011, 2:10 pm

Actually Gaga said she *used* to do cocaine, and she DID get a ton of flack for that. People just like to be very hypocritical when it comes to drugs. They’ll do it themselves but if someone successful admits to it or gets caught doing it, they hate on them. It was worse for Paris because people already don’t like her because they think she’s dumb and just some party bimbo. They don’t realize that she loves her fans, is grateful for everything she has, works hard, and has like 15 different brands.

From: Benji
Time: January 23, 2011, 8:27 pm

Gaga says she occasionally uses it here:

http://www.popcrunch.com/lady-gaga-cocaine-confession-its-occasional/

From: Jen
Time: January 24, 2011, 12:03 pm

Cameron Diaz admits to getting weed from Snoop Dog.
There is no celebrity that is lily white.

However, I do hope that last summer’s little incident won’t be repeated .

Paris is turning 30 and, while we want her to enjoy life, she needs to tone it down just a wee bit .

No sense in her giving naysayers continued ammunition.

From: Dawn
Time: January 25, 2011, 9:42 am

These same parents buy items from French designers who are mostly homosexuals – which is also against their “strict standards”.

Moralists are often the biggest hypocrites around.

From: bridin harnett
Time: April 27, 2011, 12:46 am

I found this website and article quite by accident. In actual fact I think that it was a misquote on my part, I don’t remember saying exactly that. One thing is very clear, no human being has the right to judge another in terms of goodness or badness. Nobody knows what is in the heart of another, as you have all rightly said, the actions of a person may not reflect the true inner feeling. However, I want you to think about something. No human being can ever predict the chemical effect that one sip of alcohol may have on a person; the potential tendency for alcoholism, the possible emotional pain, the tragedy of broken families. The list goes on…regardless of nationality, tradition or creed. We all need to find the goodness in ourselves, acknowledge it and act on it. This is the essence of a meaningful life. I appreciate your blog and the opportunity to have a forum for free discussion. This is real humanity; an expression of our global community.