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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Two: Travel Incongruities > Fashion statement, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2007
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21-DEC-2007

Fashion statement, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2007

Vietnam’s new helmet law, which just went into effect, requires everyone who drives or rides on a motorized bike to wear a crash helmet. This has created quite a stir, particularly among young people, who often seem more concerned about messing up their hair than preserving their skulls in the event of a crash. To offset the messy hair dilemma, new emphasis is being placed on helmet fashions, including color coordination. I took careful note of the traces of green on this rider’s facemask – it perfectly matches the color of her helmet. I also was startled by the effect of the rhinestone-studded glasses. I found the entire get-up somewhat incongruous – an attempt to make lemonade out of a lemon. The more fashionable the drivers try to become with their driving costumes, the more bizarrely incongruous the final effect. I made this close up image of a Hanoi cyclist from my tour bus window to prove my point.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/40s f/3.7 at 88.8mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis26-Jan-2008 00:23
I was hoping hoping that someone would see our bus reflected in her helmet. If the helmet had a mirror finish, you would probably see me making the picture as well. As you note, her fashion statement goes a bit too far. She is trying hard to make something elegant out of an inelegant requirement, and the result is a bizarre incongruity and a good picture opportunity for me.
Guest 25-Jan-2008 22:31
Really a very "fashionable" rider, too fashionable perhaps. Very nice to see your bus and the city reflected in her helmet :) V
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