Posts with tag religion

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.

Want to express something a little more meaningful through your jewelry choice than just how much you spent on that bling? Today's featured designer, Kristian McIntyre of Creative Art and Soul, creates sandcarved gemstone and glass jewelry pendants inspired by many of the world's different religions and cultures.

Apparently the influence of vampire slayers lives forever, at least in England. Joss Whedon's beloved cult tv show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which ran from 1997 to 2003, is now being "blamed" for droves of women leaving the Church of England for Wicca.

According to the New York Post, Buffy's themes of female empowerment appeal to young women. Ladies find the Wicca religion, which they apparently just discovered on the show, attractive because women play a central role in the rituals.

Women who lead? What a groundbreaking concept! Leave it to those Brits to ferret out Whedon's "secret" avante garde gender and religion politics, and only five years after the fact. Brilliant!

No word on whether the his n' her's purple robes with gold embroidered pentagrams play any part in the Buffy/Wicca recruiting process, but we'd join just for the chance to make out with Willow.

Today's poll over at sister site StyleList is Would You Wear a Turban? Thank you Olsen Twins and Prada, for another trip to Unwearable Village.

It's our opinion that you may only wear a turban:

• while doing your hair, at the spa or salon, or in the comfort of your own bathroom
• if you lost your hair due to cancer treatments or alopecia
• because it's part of your religion
• going to a Murder on the Orient Express party
• when the Queen grants you the use of Dame, e.g. Dame Elizabeth Taylor
• to satisfy an unbearable urge to pull out your old Dynasty costumes, i.e. you are Joan Collins

Otherwise, no.

Disagree with us? Head on over to the poll and vote!

Let's say you're a fashionable Christian and you want to look your very best. Would you be inclined to support a line of cosmetics called "Lookin' Good for Jesus," or would you, like the people of Singapore, be offended? I suppose it's a matter of personal opinion, but Roman Catholics in Singapore complained that the items were offensive and they were subsequently pulled from stores.

Produced by Blue Q the line promises to "Redeem your reputation and more." Products include a "virtuous vanilla" lip balm and "Get Tight with Christ" hand and body cream.

According to The Straits Times (via MSNBC):

On the packaging of one of the products, Jesus, wearing a bright white robe, looks heavenward while a blond, heavily made-up woman with an arm draped across his shoulder gazes dreamily at his face.

"Why would anyone use religious figures to promote vanity products? It's very disrespectful and distasteful," the report quoted 24-year-old accountant Grace Ong, also Catholic, as saying.

Judging by the fact that Blue Q has other lines called "Dirty Girl," "Cat Butt," "Mullet," and "Balls," I think it's fairly clear what their intentions were when creating the products. Offensive sells.

They do make this though, which I've actually purchased as a gag gift. So, there's that.

On Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, a group of designers exhibited the latest trends in Islamic fashion. Contrary to what most people think of when they hear the words "Islamic dress" -- black, shapeless, long -- these designs really pushed the limits of standard Muslim fashion. While all of the outfits were compliant with Koranic tradition, the clothes also managed to feel stylish and luxurious. Lace, silk and color were omnipresent, and that old standard black was almost nowhere to be seen.

Indonesia is actually sort of considered the New York of the Islamic fashion scene. Because the country is mostly occupied by a moderate Sunni tradition, the majority of Indonesian women wear a headscarf with normal western clothes. But according to designer Jeny Tjahyawati, "There are more and more women wearing Muslim fashion to parties. It can provide comfort since it is loose and it can also protect women from perverted men if they walk alone at night."

In countries like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, which tend to be more traditional and austere, women wear are expected to wear the abaya -- the black cloak that covers them from head-to-toe.

Controversies over the display of religious symbols have been cropping up all over Europe. In France, legislators have passed bans on headscarves in certain social contexts. In the UK, a recent court case determined that Nadia Eweida should not be allowed to wear a cross necklace while on the job at Heathrow Airport in London.

Eweida has been on unpaid leave since her bosses informed her that she would no longer be allowed to visibly display her cross necklace. British Airways has denied that they do not allow employees to wear crosses. Rather, the company suggests that the uniform policy prohibits employees from displaying signs of religious devotion. Items such as a cross necklaces are allowed provided that they were concealed under uniforms.

In a public statement, BA argued that its uniform "policy does not ban staff from wearing a cross. It lays down that personal items of jewelery, including crosses may be worn - but underneath the uniform. Other airlines have the same policy. The policy recognizes that it is not practical for some religious symbols - such as turbans and hijabs - to be worn underneath the uniform. This is purely a question of practicality. There is no discrimination between faiths." BA offered Eweida another non-uniformed post that would enable her to openly display her cross necklace. Eweida, however, declined to take the new position and will instead appeal the court decision once again.

So what do you think? Should employers be able to regulate displays of religious devotion in the workplace?