Anonymous. Studio Shehrazade, Saida, Lebanon, 1970s. Hashem el Madani 2007

Curator: This photograph, taken in the 1970s at Studio Shehrazade in Saida, Lebanon, is by Hashem el Madani, part of a collection put together by Akram Zaatari. Immediate vibe? These women have secrets. Editor: Secrets and style. The sunglasses, especially the left pair, are screaming "futuristic vintage." It's like a time capsule of cool. Curator: Sunglasses in old photos always feel like masks, especially in a place like Lebanon, veiling identity but also performing it. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a self-conscious pose. These women aren't just capturing a moment; they’re crafting an image. The floral print clashes deliciously with the solid black. Curator: I feel it, a story held back, not just in their eyes but in the tension between display and concealment. And the photographer, Madani, an artist, is a vessel for that story. Editor: And Zaatari, the collector, as well. Layers of meaning, one photograph. The way it captures time makes me long to peek behind the veil. Curator: Agreed. It’s a glimpse into another world, shrouded and sparkling.