News flash: Christian
Fashion Week is NOT just about fashion.
Shocking, I know. There was definitely lots of sartorial goodness to be
had, but I will save that for my next post. First, there are more pressing
matters to discuss.
It’s taken me a couple of months to fully process my
experience at the second annual Christian Fashion Week held in Tampa, FL in
February. It was bigger, better and more far-reaching than last year’s event.
For example, there were two nights of runway shows instead of one, many more
and varied vendors, and a week’s worth of activities and seminars for attendees,
including an International Day of Prayer for the fashion industry.
What I appreciate most about Jose, Mayra, Wil and Tamy – the
founders of Christian Fashion Week whom I am proud to call my friends – is the
depth with which they attack their purpose. Their web site states: “Christian
Fashion Week exists to create a series of international fashion shows and
events around the idea of fashion from a Christian worldview, reflecting common
values such as modesty, boldness, and integrity. While we acknowledge that
these values are not exclusively Christian, our faith is a unifying factor for
these ideals, and a viable marketplace for fashion designers who believe in
them.”
But what CFW has accomplished is more extensive and
impactful than most people realize. It’s not just about showcasing
high-quality, stylish clothing that enhances self-worth by letting a person’s
spirit and personality shine brighter than their body type, but about showing
how fashion can promote our faith in so many influential ways.
I met Amanda, founder of Divine Image Cosmetics. I was
immediately drawn to her because she was wearing purple pants – my favorite
color. I didn’t know then that purple is the color she uses in her company’s
logo and packaging because it stands for royalty and trustworthy leadership.
She donates proceeds from the sale of her products to organizations such as
Project Rescue, which ministers to women and children worldwide impacted by
sexual slavery.
The energetic father-daughter team behind the Live Family,
Live Happy booth chatted with us about their t-shirt line that promotes family
living. Their designs are funny, colorful and inspirational, cheering in
support of family.
Iris’s smile drew me immediately to her booth. Accents by
Iris is an affordable jewelry line that is fashionable and affordable. It
doesn’t have to cost a lot to look beautiful, and Iris proved that. I couldn’t
help but buy two rings from her, and I think of her sweet spirit every time I
wear them.
During the blogger lunch one afternoon, I sat at a table surrounded
by talented, ambitious women who are on FIRE for the Lord. It was great to see
Joelle, Ker-Leen (and Joe), and Christi, whom I had met at CFW last year. I
enjoyed getting to know Ida, Aubrey, Stephanie, and other women working hard to
glorify the Lord through blogging, vlogging, photography, singing, publishing,
and event planning. I was inspired by each one of them.
I often say that when you’re working for the Lord, you might
as well wear a target on your back – you have to expect the devil to attack.
And while CFW got a lot of positive press from sites like Buzzfeed and Perez
Hilton, interestingly it was fellow Christians who attacked the hardest.
Incredibly, CFW founder Jose responded to each outburst and insult with a calm,
rational response, without getting defensive, and with lots of humor! I can’t
tell you how many people he won over by not being combative, but by appealing
to reason with a huge dose of compassion. I have learned so much by his
Christ-like response and example.
There were more than 300 attendees at CFW this year with an
additional 11,000 online viewers. I want to focus on two of those attendees.
Claire, age 12, and Paris, age 14, were sitting behind me during the second
runway show. All night I heard them oohing and aahing the fashions that came
out on the catwalk. I turned to speak with them and their mothers after the
show. They said the show was “awesome” and they loved it. Paris said the
clothes were “still modest and adorable” and Claire agreed, saying she “would
wear the swimsuits.” Their moms, Nicole and Melissa, told me the girls wanted
to be fashion designers.
CFW is making an impact not just on the international world
of fashion, but also in the hearts of young girls. While it provides a platform
for emerging and established designers, vendors and bloggers, it also provides
inspiration for young women who want to be fashionable without compromising
their values. In one fell swoop, CFW has glorified God in meaningful ways to an
industry that has all but shut Him out as well as to those who looking for new
ways to let Him in.
Stay tuned for a fashion update and pictures of the event –
coming soon!
Christian Fashion Week, www.christianfashionweek.com
Divine Image Cosmetics, www.divineimagecosmetics.com
Live Family, Live Happy, www.livefamilylivehappy.com
Accents by Iris, www.paparazziaccessories.com
Joelle/My Sunday Dress, www.mysundaydress.com
Ker-Leen/Music. Fashion. Love., www.kerleen.blogspot.com
Ida/Beauty Talk Illustrated, www.beautytalkillustrated.com
Aubrey Jackson, www.aubreyjackson.com
Stephanie/Pretty Lovely Events, www.prettylovelyevents.com
OK, I’m getting off my shoebox now.
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