Image Of Jesus In Fashion

The image of Jesus Christ has always been an endless inspiration for humanity, especially for artists and fashion designers.

When mentioning Jesus Christ, one immediately thinks of Christianity (I do not follow any religion, so please excuse any inaccuracies related to religion – feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). However, I am quite fond of reading about God – its history as well as its formation process, including the legends about Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Simply because it has significantly influenced history and culture – from the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance and even to the modern era. And naturally, religion’s influence on fashion is considerable.

Religion has long been a belief for humans. When one is most desperate, not knowing what force to cling to – then faith in an invisible force becomes even stronger. I won’t dwell on this too much because some have exploited this belief for their own personal purposes.

Ultimately, religion, created by humans, has the task of connecting people and guiding them towards noble purposes. But human nature is inherently not entirely good, so the use of religious imagery in the process of civilization can be both right and wrong at times (the Crusades are an example).

But the image of Jesus Christ – always an endless inspiration for humanity, especially for artists and fashion designers. When society has shaken faith – when society has become difficult to control. The only common ground among people is faith in someone. And that someone could be none other than Jesus, Buddha, Allah. Fashion designers are the same – they want to bring a religious perspective (which is very familiar in the fashion industry) to convey messages about justice, peace, or satirize those who behave excessively.

Of course, there are countless ways to depict Jesus on clothing, not just a few ways that many local brands in Vietnam simply print and stop there. Because it’s religion, there should be respect in it. (No offense, just endure the criticism). Let’s take a look at some fashion products featuring Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

When Trump became the President of the United States, the billionaire who became this president was not well-liked by many people, including Jeremy Scott – currently the Creative Director of Moschino, who launched the Fall/Winter 2017 collection blending inspirations from Jesus, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley.

Why among famous figures like Monroe and Elvis, is there Jesus? Well, actually, Jeremy wants to talk about how we worship celebrities like God and how, somehow – a billionaire and a reality TV show star can be elected president of a powerful country. Jeremy wants to express through his collection the instability that will occur when electing a celebrity on social media.

Or going back to the year 2000 – when Haute Couture was still dominating the fashion world. John Galliano, at the time working under Dior, in the Fall/Winter 2000 season showed a runway full of religious colors.

With the title “Freud / Fetish” – John showcased a male model in the attire of a priest with ambitious eyes. John wants to depict the worship of religion in the new world and the dark sides of it that humans do not know about.

And speaking of religion – we cannot fail to mention JPG – Jean Paul Gaultier, a crazy designer greatly influenced by culture (not just religion). Jean is a lover of pure beauty and turns it into products on the runway.

In Spring/Summer 2007 – Jean made every female model on the catwalk look like an angel serving in Heaven. Images of halos, the Virgin Mary along with deep Church-inspired robes.

Images of Jesus, the Sacred Heart delicately embroidered along with colors inspired by churches (You’re welcome, folks) have enabled Jean Paul Gaultier to describe the beauty of religion in fashion.

“Jesus is Lord” is the theme of Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 2010 men’s collection under the direction of Ricardo Tisci. It can be said that from 2010 to 2013, the theme of Givenchy or Tisci focused on Jesus or Catholicism. White, prints of the face of Jesus Christ’s mother – the use of thorn patterns on the crown image immediately reminds us of Jesus.

And there’s still plenty – Dolce&Gabbana, Christpher Kane, Valentino Haute… have used images as well as inspirations from Jesus or religion in their products. All are beautiful and meticulous until the era of Gen Z comes.

Regarding Gen Z, I will talk more about Streetwear. Everything seems easier for using the image of Jesus on their products. Just simply printing, it could be the image of Jesus Christ, it could be the image of the Cross – but what’s important is the story that brands convey through religion.

Supreme has done it, Palace, NBH, Wacko Maria, etc., all have used Jesus in their products. Because it’s faith – it’s a core thing in the cultural life of every human being. (Or just my feeling, traditional faith with religion now seems easygoing for young people).

Oh, speaking of Jesus – we can’t help but mention Kanye West – “Yeezus.” Maybe Kanye’s products are not as sophisticated and beautiful as luxury brands, haute couture ones mentioned above – but I like it because it’s quite humble and similar to living wholeheartedly for God as Kanye West is doing now.

Sunday Service is how Kanye travels around, carrying his strong faith and a whole choir to convey it. That’s what religion wants people to do – connect and love each other.