PARIS, Dec 11, 2004/ FW/ --- When people think of far off lands, fashion is one of the most visible aspects of a society’s culture.

It not only differentiates one society from the next, but it also fashion makes people see that no matter where you are in the world, we are all concerned by appearance and the importance of fashion sense.

During a recent trip to Qatar to support a major cultural initiative in the deserts of Doha organised by the French and Qatari governments, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities in the way fashion is viewed.

Not really so surprisingly enough, but Qatari people resemble Westerners more than we may think.

No major city could ever be complete with at least two malls. Doha has five. And in those malls are sold local fashions as well as products and accessories from major Western fashion houses. And any perfume that’s worth having can also be found there.

I was fascinated to see two young men at the inauguration of a French mini-city tending a stand. With their head bandannas and oversized clothes, one could easily swear that they were ready to star in an American rap video. They two young men were kind enough to allow me to photograph them to accompany this article.

In the malls were clothes beautifully displayed in the store windows. I, along with Patrick Cassabet from L’Officiel Magazine, did a tour of all the boutiques and department stores. We were impressed to see how everyone went about their Saturday shopping and business as we also would here in the Western Hemisphere.

The mall bustled with parents and their small kids as they performed the ritual weekend shopping at boutiques.

Teenagers and young adults used the mall as a hangout spot and to showcase their individual fashion sense. It was really fascinating to see the blend of jeans, traditional garbs, veiled faces and female silhouettes completely covered from head to toe in sober fabrics that keep them hidden from the gaze of men.

The men were very stylish in their traditional garbs as well dress in all white with sumptuous cufflinks to punctuate their individual fashion flair. Patrick Cassabet and I loved the later so much that we went to the old city and bought one for ourselves.

What I learned from my recent trip to the Middle East is that no matter your country of origin, fashion and fashion sense are inextricably linked elements to the fabric of all societies.