The Sunday News
Peter Matika
FASHION and religion have always had an uneasy relationship. It is documented in history that there have been some nasty clashes of religious values with respect to fashion and the use of religious connotations in clothing designs over the years.
Lots of designers know that religion arouses passion, causes controversy, controls and transforms lives and this is exactly what they try to achieve, be it in a good or bad way.
Throughout the years religion and spirituality have played a huge role in fashion. Supposing that most of us know, fashion varies around the world. Trends are derived from traditional and cultural beliefs. Religious symbols and religious influenced styles are a touchy component of the fashion world today.
It is reported that some trends are more directly related to religion than others, such as rosaries and others that are more religiously influenced.
Over the years people have been known to wear symbols of their faith, for example Christians wear the cross.
But does it go too far to wear those symbols, not as an expression of faith but, as a fashion statement?
Rosaries and crosses are really big in fashion, right now I have noticed that this is the new trend that retro junkies follow.
Almost every store you go to with “trendy” clothing, you are likely to find at least one cross or one rosary.
These trends are a replica of the real item and are distinguishable from the real deal.
I read online that most rosaries you find in store do not have the 10 small beads in between each larger bead used to represent the 10 Hail Mary in between each Lord’s Prayer. Also most will not have a crucifix on the end as traditional rosaries do, it will only have a cross. Other religious styled clothing may be less traditional and more inspired by religion.
For example, Muslim head-scarves are not commonly seen on non-Muslim people, however, there is a distinct look to typical Muslim head-scarves and those can be seen in many stores replicated and styled for everyday wear. Even celebrities are known for wearing religiously influenced clothing.
If you follow glossy magazines or ceremonial events such as the VMAs, Mtv awards and the like you will know what I am talking about. Something else that is quite common to see in today’s fashion scene are brands using religious symbols in their products. One brand that comes to mind is True Religion brand jeans. True Religion uses the Buddhist god “Buddha” as the logo for their brand. Whether it has direct links to religion or just influenced by it, one thing is for sure, fashion is and will forever be influenced by religion.
Religion has influenced the world in so many ways, other than where some people go on Saturdays or Sundays. Religious books such as the Bible have come to be known as the most famous books in the world. Its stories appear in so many places in so many ways, we barely even notice it anymore. Whether or not people believe in the Christian faith is beside the point because it has fascinated and inspired so many over the centuries. From literature to art, music and lifestyle, it has even stumbled onto high fashion runways.
Most people argue that religion should be left out of fashion, especially with the rise of pop sensation, Lady Gaga.
Gaga has become a very massive fashion icon over the past couple of years. In one of her music videos she is seen to be dressed as a Pope with an upside down cross which is the symbol of the rejection of Christ.
At one point in time she even swallows a rosary, the video was full of Catholic imagery and found extremely offensive to many.
It is clear that religious and spiritual influences have been incorporated in fashion quite vaguely; many people are so opinionated on this subject some have found it offensive while others see it as creative art. The question, however, still remains . . . Is the spiritual influence in fashion blasphemous or creative?
Feedback:
What’s up bro. I have really enjoyed reading your article. I think the point you’ve raised that the way women dress fuels sexual violence, as we have a look at the old days when people used to wear reeds and animal hides, there were no cases of rape.
Maybe It’s because of the way people were nurtured, compared to nowadays. My bro our generation is cursed, we don’t even know where this could end up. You’ll see that in the next coming years ladies will be walking in the streets only in bras and panties. It’s better if we as a nation behave in a manner that is good and fear God. — 0778485363.
For feedback please sms 0772337433 or email me on [email protected]
