{"id":18325,"date":"2017-11-12T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2017-11-12T13:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=18325"},"modified":"2017-11-12T13:00:49","modified_gmt":"2017-11-12T13:00:49","slug":"what-religion-has-to-do-with-fashion-prayforfashion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/what-religion-has-to-do-with-fashion-prayforfashion\/","title":{"rendered":"What religion has to do with fashion? #prayforfashion"},"content":{"rendered":"

We went to a therapist with fashion and religion to try to understand this relationship <\/b><\/h3>\n

It is a well-known fact that religion has always had a significant influence on society. There were moments in history when the church would dictate on almost every aspect of the individual\u2019s life. And so, it should not come as a surprise that religion would also influence the fashion industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

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155 issue cover of Pop magazine<\/p><\/div>\n

MET gala\u2019s 2018 theme <\/a>\u201cFashion and religion\u201d has generated little discussions around the topic. But still, how is fashion connected with religion? Does the belief really influence the way we dress?<\/span><\/p>\n

“Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another, although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion”, said Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of the costume institute of MET.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ready. #MetGala2018<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/n2OrcSLteA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mar\u00eda Villodres (@girlsayes) November 8, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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We use fashion as a way to transmit who we are to other people, and we express our personality in the little details; for instance, the punk does it with the heavy use of eyeliner and the colourful hair. Religion, on the other hand, plays a big part in shaping us as individuals, in determining who we are. And there are small details that people use, like the David star for some jews, or the hijab for some muslin.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a time when in the western world, that religion would oppress women from what they were. When Mary Quant, dared to break the oppression of the Catholic church, inventing the mini skirt, a shock for the church. However, this does not suggest that the religion\u2019s only purpose is to oppress and block fashion from happening. Things had evolved, and fashion didn\u2019t stop being shocking for some religious.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Nowadays, it changed designers are even creating for Muslim women giving them modest fashion. Now they have more options of what to wear, and they can be in the fashion. Long gone are the days when they would hide their fashion tastes under the burka \u2013 remember that \u201cSex and the City 2\u201d sequence?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo By GAYA magazine<\/p><\/div>\n

Even though, there are still disrespectful uses of religious symbols and motifs in the industry of fashion. The Hamsa hand representing the five pillars of Islam or the Bindis symbolising the third eye chakra in Hinduism are only two elements wrongfully appropriated in fashion. If fashion wants to include these features in its narrative, then the industry needs to understand what they mean and what they represent. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, the line between a respectful translation of this religious elements into fashion and an insulting and abusive representation of them is fragile. It can either be fantastic and inclusive or terrible and offensive.<\/span><\/p>\n