“…inside, we found the “Sacrement Inspiree” fashion shoot photographed by Terry Richardson and “realized” by editor in chief Carine Roitfeld. The theme? Voodoo/wicca/satanism!”

Fashion design by Alexander McQueen, photo by Terry Richardson.

Among the designers highlighted in the shoot is Alexander McQueen, who recently unveiled a witch-themed fashion line.

“McQueen, the greatest theatric in fashion, didn’t just focus on witches, but ruminated visually on the occult, paganism and Egyptian devils. The only surprise is that the Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano has not since penned an editorial condemning the show.”

As for the shoot itself, Roitfeld seems to be a fan of left-hand fashions and has inserted serveral “Satanic” symbols to spice up the mix, prompting Jezebel to exclaim that “Devil worship is the new black!”

Satanic fashion?

Will occult and Pagan themes continue to influence high fashion? Will any of the more sensible designs be co-opted by the masses? Will Satanism find new life in Haute couture? Does this predict a future in which Pagan festivals set the tone for fashionistas everywhere? These questions, and many more, remain to be answered.
]]> http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2007/09/more-pagan-and-satanic-fashion.html/feed 6 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2007/03/pagan-fashions.html http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2007/03/pagan-fashions.html#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:24:00 +0000 Jason Pitzl-Waters http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2007/03/pagan-fashions.html Recently, two of my posts that touched on fashion within the modern Pagan sub-culture have drawn a surprising response. So it seems like a good time to report on the recent Witch-themed fashion line by British designer Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen autumn/winter 2007/2008 collection

“The macabre British designer, Alexander McQueen, dedicated his dramatic presentation at the Paris pret-a-porter season last night to a distant relative, Elizabeth How, one of the Salem witches. The models emerged like members of a coven, walking on a pentagram painted on a bed of coals, beneath an inverted pyramid on which were projected images of flames, naked women and locusts. The collection was one of the designer’s sexiest and appeared to have been conceived with a little help from the magic arts. It featured burnished metal bodysuits, extreme tailoring in denim and fur, carapace-like capes in plated leather and “sorceress” gowns in chiffon and velvet, emblazoned with gleaming metallic flames or in see-through stretch tulle, embroidered with enchanting symbols.”

Alexander McQueen autumn/winter 2007/2008 collection

According to Fashion Wire Daily, the show was pagan through and through (and perhaps a bit demonic as well).

“McQueen, the greatest theatric in fashion, didn’t just focus on witches, but ruminated visually on the occult, paganism and Egyptian devils. The only surprise is that the Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano has not since penned an editorial condemning the show.”

This is certainly a far cry from ordering some Renaissance gear off the Internet, slapping on a pair of horns, and hitting the local Witches’ ball. Drama! Majesty! Metal chest-plates! Could this be the start of a new “Pagan chic” within the glamorous world of fashion? It would certainly add a new twist on the debate over how modern Pagans should dress.
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