Comments on: Elle Turkey’s Fashion Faux Pas Stirs Controversy

By: Natian Inian

Natian Inian — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:40:12 +0000

There is something about the preservation of these ruins in photographs featured in a reputable magazine like “Elle” that is comforting.

By: FASHIONWERX » Elle Turkey's Fashion Faux Pas Stirs Controversy

FASHIONWERX » Elle Turkey's Fashion Faux Pas Stirs Controversy — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:44:38 +0000

[…] the original post: Elle Turkey's Fashion Faux Pas Stirs Controversy • Posted by admin • Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 10:55 am • (0) Comment […]

By: Sexy Ani? Fashion at Sacred Armenian Ruins Raises Eyebrows

Sexy Ani? Fashion at Sacred Armenian Ruins Raises Eyebrows — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:04:03 +0000

[…] Magazine, which was also quick to report the story, reposted some of many comments left under the photos […]

By: Random Armenian

Random Armenian — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:51:43 +0000

I’m not sure this constitutes a controversy. All sorts of people can post to blogs and a lot of them can be knee-jerk reactions. This was a photoshoot. It’s not clear what the photographer was aiming with the photoshoot and I could not find the Elle Turkey magazine to see what it says in there about the location they used.

The following event that took place after the service at Akhtamar is most definitely insulting:

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-223253-mhp-protests-against-religious-freedoms-in-friday-prayer.html

By: MIKE ADAJIAN

MIKE ADAJIAN — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:06:40 +0000

The excellent http://www.virtualani.org has been off the air but may be back soon. For now, http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/01/ani-ghost-city-of-1001-churches.html without any models Vogueing around King Gagik’s realm. Shad merci.

By: greetingslondon.net » Ruins of Ani Reduced to Backdrop in Elle Photo Shoot

greetingslondon.net » Ruins of Ani Reduced to Backdrop in Elle Photo Shoot — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:03:24 +0000

[…] The photos, posted on Fashion Gone Rogue have been met with condemnation from Armenian commentators angry that Elle would hold a “taste-less” photo-shoot on hallowed ground, in a city rid of its population through massacre and Genocide. Independent Armenian online news magazine, ianyanmag, reported on the reactions to the spread in an article titled, Elle Turkey’s Fashion Faux Paus Stirs Controversy. […]

By: Onnik Krikorian

Onnik Krikorian — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:57:16 +0000

Actually, I love the last photo and am glad that the others show a Turkish readership the state of the area. Surely that’s better than not?

To be honest, I think people jump on anything to express already held views. Meanwhile, I noticed from Twitter you found a piece from Elle also remembering Hrant Dink.

http://www.elle.com.tr/hrant-turkiyeli-bir-aydin-HaberDetay/480.aspx

So, I don’t think they meant any disrespect at the end of the day. Instead, it just touched a raw nerve with some.

Indeed, there was also mention of how disrespectful some people would feel if it was the same ethnic group holding a fashion show at a place of certain significance even to the same nation.

So, as the fashion world and art does from time to time, it is going to be controversial. Just can’t help but think that politics has been needlessly injected into the mold because many jump on such opportunities.

By: Nigar

Nigar — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:54:48 +0000

They are technically called ruins (like Greek ruins, ie Troy), but you will be happy to know Ani is under the Ministry’s protection and is being renovated for sometime (this “protection” has picked up speed since Armenian history within Turkish history is so much more often on the agenda, and this kind of publicity helps as well).

I was very much surprised by this website: http://www.ani.gov.tr/tarihce.asp

It badly needs an English version, but the sections are History, Structures/Buildings, Ceramics, Excavation Work, How to Get There and Bibliography.

Each section is extremely detailed and prominently features the words (Kingdom of) Armenia and Armenian. Compare to this tiny page on Troy: http://www.kulturvarliklari.gov.tr/belge/1-86051/truva-antik-kenti-canakkale.html

The history part ends on the note that Ani was hit by a 8 magnitude earthquake in 1605 and has been uninhabitable and abandoned since then.

The last paragraph mentions how many times the province of Kars has changed hands between 1877 and 1921.

I hope this was helpful.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:19:38 +0000

While I feel like this is in bad taste, I am happy to see professional photos of these churches and ruins. They are much better quality than the ones from friends who visit the area and are always looking over their shoulder. If anything, the churches outshine the fashion in these photos.

The more press this area gets, the less likely it is that the churches would be allowed to continue to be left in ruins.