Nose Aesthetics

Rhinoplasty and Identity in Tehran

in Anthropology of the Middle East
Author:
Sara Lenehan University of Oxford

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3167/ame.2011.060105
Keywords:
consumption; cosmetic surgery; ethnicity; globalisation; national identity; rhinoplasty; Tehran
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Tehran currently hosts one of the largest rhinoplasty markets in the world, and rhinoplasty is the most sought after cosmetic surgery in the country. This article examines whether the rhinoplasty trend reflects a shift in Iranians' attitudes towards their ethnic and cultural identity. It is argued that fashion and beauty norms in Tehran are certainly informed by globalised images, but these are mediated by Iranian moralities of prestige, image consciousness and class awareness. Thus, while many of the persons interviewed described 'Iranian noses' as aesthetically inferior to 'European noses', their statements were not necessarily coupled with a desire to negate Iranian identity.

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Cover Anthropology of the Middle East
Article Category:
Research Article
Page Count:
16
Keywords:
consumption; cosmetic surgery; ethnicity; globalisation; national identity; rhinoplasty; Tehran
Print Publication Date:
01 Mar 2011
Online Publication Date:
01 Mar 2011
Copyright:
© Berghahn Books 2011

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