Keeping the Faith in Fashion
The fashion world is synonymous with glamor, excitement, luxury, and mystique. Many young people around the world dream of working in fashion, and for teen girls especially, becoming a fashion model is the ultimate fairy tale. Who wouldn’t want to wear the latest designer fashions, travel to exotic locations around the world for photo shoots, and appear on the cover of fashion magazines? Models may appear to be glamorous people leading glamorous lives, but more often than not, the glitter and glitz is a mere façade.
Beyond the bright lights of fashion runways lurks a dark world deftly hidden from the glossy pages of Vogue and Maxim. Missing from the headlines are the models suffering from eating disorders, poor self-esteem, or drug addictions from the pressure to look a certain way. We don’t usually hear about the fashion model, designer, or intern going through periods of unpaid or poorly paid work. Sexual exploitation of models – male and female – is a reality in the fashion industry. Assaults often going unreported for fear of rejection from higher-ups, “causing a fuss”, or never gaining work again. It is customary for fashion models in runway shows to get naked backstage, which can incite unwanted stares and advances.
Left: Gia Carangi, who died of a heroin addiction and AIDS complications (IC: wineandbowties.com) Right: Ana Carolina Reston, who died of anorexia (IC: weheartit.com)
It comes as no surprise that some top models feel unfulfilled and disillusioned by the fashion industry. A number of them have discovered personal fulfillment and embraced a more purposeful lifestyle through faith. They are unafraid of shining a light upon the dark side of fame and fashion.
Kylie Bisutti is one of these women who chose to leave her modeling career behind despite its perks and promises. In 2009, Bisutti beat out 10,000 girls to win the “Victoria’s Secret Model Search” competition, and shortly after, found herself living the dream of high fashion. She soon quit modeling lingerie due to it conflicting with her Christian values, and later published a memoir “I’m No Angel: From Victoria’s Secret Model to Role Model.” Alongside a new career as author and Christian spokesperson, she has launched her own clothing line, God Inspired Fashion.
Nicole Weider is another ex-Victoria’s Secret model who left the glitz and glam of the fashion world for a higher calling. Living the life of a starlet, she spent much of her time in nightclubs and socializing with high-profile celebrities. Yet something never felt quite right for her in the midst of casting calls, runways, and photo shoots. She says the degradation of parading herself in underwear around men led to a frightening depression only God could fix. Moved to send a positive message to women, Weider created the Project Inspired book and community, ranging in topics from relationships to bullying to fashion. Her goal is to show women they can be godly and feminine at the same time.
Jennifer Strickland worked in the fashion industry for fifteen years, appearing in Glamour, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen, becoming one of Giorgio Armani’s top models. While in Europe, she dedicated her life to Christ and left modeling in search of a richer life. She has spoken to thousands of women of all ages, inspiring them to embrace their identities as beautiful creations. Her books, which help people find their value and purpose in Christ, include Girl Perfect: An Imperfect Girl’s Journey to True Perfection, and Beautiful Lies: You Are More Than What Men Think. She speaks out on issues such as self-worth, beauty, body image, eating disorders, sexual purity, self-harm, and turning one’s past into purpose.
Those who leave high-profile modeling careers do not always quit the fashion world for good, but are inspired to make a difference in it. Most often, Christians in the industry believe they can bring God into fashion by addressing darker issues such as eating disorders and hyper-sexualization. Christie Abbott, who has worked for international fashion and luxury brands for 25 years, founded Fashion for Christ, a prayer and networking group for models and fashion industry professionals. She sees it as a privilege to be a Christian in the fashion world: "Christians are needed in every industry and fashion is no different."
Some models have managed to shine in the fashion industry while maintaining their faith values. Veteran supermodel Christy Turlington, a devout Catholic with a degree in comparative religion and philosophy, advocates meditation and contemplation as practices of faith. Coco Rocha, who has modeled for Chanel, Banana Republic, L'Oreal, and Zac Posen, describes herself as "A Christian first and a model second." Despite her reputation as a popular supermodel, she refuses to bare excessive skin or pose provocatively with male models. Adriana Lima, a Victoria's Secret Angel and spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics, is an outspoken advocate for sexual abstinence before marriage and is known to bring a Bible with her backstage before appearing on runways.
Adriana Lima - Image Credit: victoriassecret.com
How wonderful to truly be a model and not just look like one. Whether on or off the runway, those who respond to the call of faith become models of inspiration and encouragement to a broken society. The dark side of the fashion industry simply embodies a wider societal context in which greed, competition, and lust often times trump altruism, cooperation, and love. Both the fashion industry and the society in which it operates are in need of individuals who are willing to model compassion and understanding alongside modeling beauty and glamor.
While faith and fashion may in some ways appear mutually exclusive, creativity is a strong element they have in common. Both share the intention of bringing out the beauty in each of us. In a time where countless men and women have difficulty in recognizing their inner and outer beauty, the unexpected partnership of faith and fashion may fuel the energy to walk the runway toward empowerment and purpose.
