By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci sent shockwaves through the fashion world this weekend by unveiling a new line of Catholic-themed fashions for men that include shirts blazoned with “Jesus is Lord!” and crown-of-thorns necklaces.
“Religion is a big part of my DNA and this collection was about my Catholic(ism) and every other religion in a way,” the Italian-born designer told The Associated Press in a backstage interview.
He took his inspiration from religious men, he said, from priests in their stark black and white frocks, the brown robes of Franciscan monks and the layered suits of Jewish rabbis. Their garb represented “the most chic way, the most pure way of dressing,” he said.
The line was introduced at La Sorbonne in Paris on Friday evening with incense wafting from the runway and the delicate strains of the Ave Maria playing overhead. Twenty-five men modeled outfits that included monastic hoods, clerical shirts, and patent leather “man-dals” (male sandals).
While most of the designs were tasteful, Catholic League president Bill Donohue found the crown-of-thorn necklaces to be offensive.
“ . . . (T)he Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore is a very serious statement in Christianity, and it is not fair game to trivialize its meaning,” Donohue said in a statement.
There is a difference between being edgy and being obnoxious, he said. “It was disturbing enough to see pictures of men wearing this item over a shirt, but to feature a bare-chested model donning it was contemptible.”
He intends to ask Givenchy to pull this item immediately.
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