If you want to dress right in Saudi Arabia, then you'd better read our Observer's guide to wearing the ghotra - do it wrong and you might be unintentionally dressed as an MP, or just ten years out of date. Read more...

One of our Observers in Japan, Lee Chapman, photographed this motorbike, complete with Swastika-shaped spokes, outside a Harley Davidson shop in Tokyo. Depending on how you look at it, it could represent the ancient Buddhist symbol for universal harmony, the infamous emblem of Nazi Germany, or, as Lee tells us, simply being "cool". Read more...

Talk about the Islamic headscarf has long been the preserve of acrimonious debates over fundamentalism, women’s rights and freedom of expression. Blasting intolerance on all sides, Jana Kossaibati presses her right to dress as she pleases – and to do so hijab style. Read more…

In a time when retouched photos dominate the pages of even the most serious magazines and newspapers, a gadget launched by the Swedish government in 2007 is once more a hot topic online. A most enlightening "before and after". Read more...

Without brakes, freestanding wheels, and possessing only one gear, the "fixie" can already be seen tearing down the streets of the world's metropolises. This new kind of bike has lured fans with a fervour from San Francisco to Tokyo.See the videos and read more...

Thirty years ago bright white Warrior trainers were worn by only those privileged and cool enough to own a pair of them. Now, they find themselves on the feet of cleaners, construction workers and peasants. So why is student Shumeng Ye trying to get the seventies classics back from "China's working class heroes"? Read more and see the pictures...

The British public was wowed by Carla Sarkozy's elegance and beauty yesterday when she met the Queen. And they didn't miss out on the chance to compare the French president's wife with that of Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, who rarely enjoys any praise. We hear the view of a British "appearance management" consultant on each woman's choice of style. Read more...

Photos © "rashdas"