So often we see celebrities and artists appropriating religious images and icons to use as fashion accessories -- but sometimes religious images are used in ways that are beautiful and inspiring and come from a thoughtful place. Such seemed the case with a recent collection shown at Paris Fashion Week called "Guadalupe" in the American Cathedral in Paris (an Episcopal church).
Mexican designer Jorge Contreras Nupcias says the main inspiration for this wedding dresses was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The new collection no doubt captured the attention of attendees as the intricately designed white dresses with extremely full skirts could barely fit down the runway.
The "pièce de résistance" of the collection was the final dress, which came down alone with an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe displayed prominently on the front of the dress.
While the dresses came down the runway a singer named Cesar Tafoya sang "La Guadalupana," lending a cultural ambience to the show. The collection made quite a spectacle and hopefully brought some of Our Lady's graces to those who were present.