They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I say that is equally true about trends and fashion. What serves as inspiration for one person is sacred religious imagery to another...
Fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has used religious imagery in the past and it appears he is now doing so again. The logo for his Just Cavalli brand looks an awful lot like a Sufi religious symbol, as Chris Dickman reports.
Hashtags used to spread awareness about this issue are plenty, however be sure to keep an eye on #TakeOffJustLogo and #sufirights.
As the above article shows, Roberto Cavalli has had issues with the use of religious images before. He's not the only one to have appropriated religious images to aid self-expression, however. Others have used religious imagery in the past both in fashion and music. A quick Google search came up with two interesting links. In October 2013, Swide.com looked at the Most iconic use of religious imagery in music videos and pop music while Hunger TV's November 2013 article Religion Calls Out Fashion looks at religious influences on fashion and the use of the Christian cross in fashion.
A 2010 MTV article by Kyle Anderson looks at Lady Gaga's Alejandro video clip and how it bears striking similarities to various video clips and performances by Madonna.
From designers to performers, it is clear that religious images are an inspiration to many, for varying reasons. While I certainly don't approve of using religious images to hurt or harm others, I do very much approve of artists turning to religion to inspire them and their creative process.
I also believe that it is important to remember that while a symbol can be very meaningful to one person, it may simply look like a pretty scribble to the next person. As such, I hope that no matter what your views are on using religious imagery in fashion or music videos, you will remember that your views and opinions may not be shared by others and that you will respect their views as you'd expect them to respect yours.
Fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has used religious imagery in the past and it appears he is now doing so again. The logo for his Just Cavalli brand looks an awful lot like a Sufi religious symbol, as Chris Dickman reports.
"In 2004 Roberto Cavalli was taken to task for a line of underwear and swimwear ... based on representations of Hindu goddesses. This shocked the Hindu community to the extent that the line had to be withdrawn...
Ten years later and Roberto Cavalli [does it] again, this time in the form of a logo for its Just Cavalli brand. The design [bears a] marked resemblance to the registered logo employed by the MTO Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism. Sufism is a branch of Islam, with the school having more than 500,000 students in centers worldwide. ... The school's emblem ... is apparently based on sacred religious iconography."Source : The Roberto Cavalli Logo Controversy, Stock Logos (my edit)
Hashtags used to spread awareness about this issue are plenty, however be sure to keep an eye on #TakeOffJustLogo and #sufirights.
As the above article shows, Roberto Cavalli has had issues with the use of religious images before. He's not the only one to have appropriated religious images to aid self-expression, however. Others have used religious imagery in the past both in fashion and music. A quick Google search came up with two interesting links. In October 2013, Swide.com looked at the Most iconic use of religious imagery in music videos and pop music while Hunger TV's November 2013 article Religion Calls Out Fashion looks at religious influences on fashion and the use of the Christian cross in fashion.
A 2010 MTV article by Kyle Anderson looks at Lady Gaga's Alejandro video clip and how it bears striking similarities to various video clips and performances by Madonna.
Source : Lady Gaga's Alejandro Video, MTV.com"The biggest nod to Madonna’s past certainly comes with all the religious imagery. Gaga dresses as a nun, swallows rosary beads and stands in front of a row of crosses at various points during the clip, which brings to mind Madonna’s classic video for 'Like a Prayer'."
From designers to performers, it is clear that religious images are an inspiration to many, for varying reasons. While I certainly don't approve of using religious images to hurt or harm others, I do very much approve of artists turning to religion to inspire them and their creative process.
I also believe that it is important to remember that while a symbol can be very meaningful to one person, it may simply look like a pretty scribble to the next person. As such, I hope that no matter what your views are on using religious imagery in fashion or music videos, you will remember that your views and opinions may not be shared by others and that you will respect their views as you'd expect them to respect yours.