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Art of Style

7 times fashion took us to church

This year’s Met Gala and exhibition explores the sometimes controversial but always interesting relationship between religious art and fashion – divine inspiration has been behind some of fashion’s most iconic collections. These seven designers proved that a great runway show really can be a religious experience. By KASIA HASTINGS Met Gala 2024: Everything You Need To Know

Fashion
Chanel (Fall/Winter Couture 1992)
Large glass pâte de verre crucifixes, ornate broches and gold chains added celestial accents to Karl Lagerfeld’s leather-heavy 1992 Fall couture collection.
Alexander McQueen (Fall/Winter 1996)
McQueen’s controversial “Dante” collection mixed religious iconography with photographer Don McCullin’s images of war and a crown of silver thorns created by jeweler Shaun Leane.
Jean Paul Gaultier (Spring/Summer 2007 Couture)
The French designer adorned his couture incarnations of a Madonna-inspired figure in halos, theatrical lace, stained-glass gowns and stoles masquerading as monastic hoods.
Givenchy (Fall/Winter 2008)
Inspired by his travels in South America and his own faith, Riccardo Tisci offered a sharp, modern take on the sensuality and elegance of Catholicism.
Versace (Fall/Winter 2012)
Donatella’s dark, cross-emblazoned collection acted as a continuation of the gothic elements of her brother Gianni’s final couture offering in 1997.
Dolce & Gabbana (Fall/Winter 2013)
Evening dresses were hand-beaded with religious figures for the Italian fashion house’s FW13 collection, which was inspired by the metallic mosaics of Sicily’s Cathedral of Monreale.
Christopher Kane (Spring/Summer 2017)
The Scottish designer celebrated 10 years of shows with a collection that included imagery of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (the patron saint of his former high school) and medals of Saint Christopher.

The dialogue between fashion and religion has always invited hot debate, with everyone from Madonna to Alexander McQueen seeking creative expression through their exploration of faith, with ecclesiastical imagery proving a particularly popular rumination. The unmistakable iconography of the Catholic church – commanding crosses, dramatic lace, papal-inspired robes and cardinal red – is a regular reference. In celebration of the Met’s upcoming largest show to date, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, here’s a reminder of some of the greatest holy alliances formed on the runway.

Met Gala 2024: Everything You Need To Know

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