Indeed, not everyone in Iran welcomed the publicity surrounding the French visitors. Some conservative commentators expressed discomfort with what they saw as an excessive glorification of Western lifestyle. They argued that showcasing foreign models in Tehran would encourage young Iranian women to imitate Western fashion trends, potentially undermining traditional values. These critiques, though limited in number, revealed early signs of the cultural tensions that would intensify in the following decades. But in 1955, such voices were overshadowed by the excitement that dominated mainstream media.
Among the public, reactions were mixed but largely enthusiastic. Young people, especially university students, flocked to the areas surrounding the Darband Hotel, hoping to catch a brief glimpse of the visitors. Taxi drivers reportedly recounted stories of customers asking to be driven past the hotel multiple times in one day. Local shopkeepers, capitalizing on the sudden influx of curious crowds, boosted their sales by selling refreshments, souvenirs, and even photographs of the models clipped from newspapers.
