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Navigating the 'Short Hair' Debate: A Revealing Reflection on My Country Beyond the Miss France Contestant Fray

Wednesday, 20 December 2023 15:51 Sport

In the Midst of Mane Controversy: Unraveling the Eccentric Fuss Over Eve Gilles' Short Hair in France

As December unfolds, the UK embraces pantomimes, while France takes center stage with peculiar beauty controversies. The most recent uproar, witnessed last weekend on social networks, stands out as one of the oddest in the 103-year history of the Miss France pageant. Eve Gilles, the 20-year-old former Miss Pas-de-Calais, secured the title of Miss France, but it wasn't just her victory that grabbed headlines—it was her short hair. Choquant, non?

Critics took to online platforms, expressing outrage that a slender, androgynous-looking woman could be crowned as France's epitome of beauty. Some decried it as an example of diversity taken too far, tossing around terms like the 'victory of wokery.' Pardon? The commotion was fueled, in part, by the judges' decision to override the public vote, which constituted 50% of the final decision. The public's top picks were the long-haired Miss French Guiana and Miss Guadeloupe.

This laughable storm in a teacup exposes the collective amnesia and shortsightedness of some compatriots. French femininity has always been extraordinarily diverse. Beauty à la française has been an ode to diversity—a blend of origins, a mix of looks, measurements, curves, and haircuts. Equally crucial, French beauty transcends mere looks; it encompasses spirit, contributing to its universal appeal.

Throughout history, French women have defied à la mode conformism. In the Belle Époque, there was Colette: a once-submissive wife turned rebellious writer who challenged gender roles. Petite, curvy, and athletic, she cut her frizzy hair short at a time when long tresses were the norm. In an era of corsets, she discarded hers, donned trousers—then forbidden by law for women—just so she could exercise, an act deemed unthinkable. Colette, who drove both men and women to madness, remains the only French woman of letters granted a state funeral.

The Eve Gilles uproar is not just a debate over hairstyles; it's a manifestation of societal amnesia and a refusal to acknowledge the rich tapestry of French femininity. As the nation grapples with this peculiar beauty controversy, it's worth remembering that diversity, in all its forms, has always been at the heart of French allure.

Timeless Beauty: A Chronicle of French Femininity Through the Decades

Delving into the annals of French history, the evolution of beauty has been a captivating tapestry of contrasts and diversity. In the 1920s, Josephine Baker, an African American who artfully played with stereotypes, dazzled France with her cakewalk, short hair, athletic body, and charismatic wit. Beyond her entertainment prowess, Baker's role in the Résistance during World War II endeared her to the French.

The subsequent decades unfolded with icons that defied conventional norms. Arletty, tall, flat-chested, and androgynous, became France's cinematic luminary in the 1930s and 1940s. In 'Les Enfants du Paradis,' at 45, she continued to mesmerize, embodying beauty, repartee, and mystery. The 1950s introduced Leslie Caron and Juliette Gréco, each leaving an indelible mark—one as a captivating actress and the other as a deep-voiced chanteuse whose songs were penned by luminaries like Jean-Paul Sartre.

The 1960s witnessed the emergence of iconic figures like Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot. Deneuve, the epitome of reserved classic beauty, and Bardot, the vivacious blonde bombshell, shattered societal norms with their unconventional lives. Both challenged expectations, with Deneuve engaging in feminist protests and Bardot leading a carefree existence far from bourgeois conventions.

The era also showcased Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, tall and androgynous beauties who boldly embraced short hair. Their impact on French culture was profound, evident in the recent outpouring of affection following Birkin's passing.

French femininity, a mosaic of contradictions, thrives on a unique spirit—what Americans might call 'pizzazz.' In France, it's a blend of defiance, sophistication, confidence, and impudence. Eve Gilles' triumph in this year's Miss France pageant becomes a cause for celebration, marking the continuation of a rich French tradition that champions individual beauty and defiantly says 'merde' to conventions. Vive la différence!

Agnès Poirier, a political commentator, writer, and critic, eloquently captures the essence of French beauty—a timeless saga of diversity, spirit, and the audacity to embrace the unique.

In concluding this journey through the pages of French femininity, we find that the essence of beauty in France extends far beyond the superficial. It is a narrative woven through time, embracing diversity, defiance, and a certain irreverent spirit. From Josephine Baker's captivating performances in the 1920s to Arletty's androgynous allure in the 1940s, and the iconic figures of the 1950s and 1960s like Deneuve, Bardot, Hardy, and Birkin—each has left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of France.

What becomes abundantly clear is that French beauty is not confined to a specific look or style but is a celebration of individuality, a defiance of societal norms, and a manifestation of confidence and sophistication. Eve Gilles' triumph in the Miss France pageant is not merely a singular event but a continuation of this longstanding tradition—a toast to the uniqueness that defines French allure. In the end, as Agnès Poirier aptly states, 'Vive la différence!'—long live the celebration of diversity and the spirited charm that makes French beauty truly timeless.

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