'Off with her head...'

Taliban imposes edict against depicting faces.

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In Afghanistan's capital, shop windows display dazzling ball gowns and three-piece wedding suits - with the face of each mannequin covered.

The morality police have asked stores to hide the mannequins' faces and photographs of models, according to a clothes seller in Kabul.

"It makes the display a bit ugly," said the 22 year old, but it "doesn't affect sales".

When the Taliban swept back to power in August 2021, it imposed its austere interpretation of Islamic law, including an edict against depicting human faces.

"The environment must be Islamic," said the salesman in Kabul, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

Women's evening dresses come in bright colours, some styles leaving shoulders exposed or with plunging necklines - almost all sparkling with sequins.