LONDON RUNWAY
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIONS AND STYLE Kwabena Gyane looks at the relationship between religions and fashion. To say fashion and religion have a troubled relationship would be presenting matters in the lightest way possible. Their relationship is turbulent if nothing else. Their chaotic connection throughout history is one that can never be severed as, although less severe, it is still present to this day. When presented with the words fashion and religion, many see these two as residing at opposite ends of a spectrum, only interacting when need be, since religious people do need to wear clothes. To some, when it comes to religion, there is a belief of uniformity, even with different denominations, core values, and belief systems staying roughly consistent. This sense of
homogeneity also lends to religions being seen as conservative in nature. Fashion on the other hand gets given the image of innovation that’s constantly changing and evolving, evident in the trends departing as quickly as they were brought to the limelight. Self-expression through clothing has been the beating heart of fashion, especially in modern times, and while both religion and fashion can reflect identity, it is fashion that remains at the forefront of it as, like identity, fashion is presented as forever fluid. So, we have two seemingly opposing forces, one supposedly linked to limitations while the other is associated with liberation. With their continuous friction, in more ways than one, how do they seem to find ways to influence the other?
SECULAR IN THE SACRED: FASHION IN RELIGION Fashion will always be attached to religion and not just because of the disdain that many believe religions, especially the Abrahamic faiths, have for the temporal taint fashion leaves on people. As stated before, almost everyone needs clothes, and one cannot break away from that fact. From soutanes to hijabs, turbans to bekishe, the importance of religious clothing and their connection to religious teachings usually gets them removed from the topic of clothing in general. They are often placed in a different sphere, not to be addressed in the same sentence as secular clothes unless to show contrast.
