Sacrilegious “Grossly irreverent toward what is or is held to be sacred” “Sacrilege is the violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object. In a less proper sense, any transgression against the virtue of religion would be a sacrilege. It can come in the form of irreverence to sacred persons, places, and things. When the sacrilegious offence is verbal, it is called ‘blasphemy’. Sacrilegious editorial pushes boundaries. Mixing fashion with religion and a hint of erotica is visually appealing, exciting and controversial.” Jean Paul Gaultier Summer 2007 Haute Couture Collection

Aim To produce a sacrilegious fashion magazine piece which incorporates photographs and copy Delivery method will be a magazine feature and will encompass three key selling points. Visually appealing feature, strong photographs and informative copy Unique theme, attracts interest Current idea, religious symbolism is on the catwalk and featured in high street stores

Ethan Zhong ‘Erotica’ Inspiration for final piece

The 'Catholic Guilt' Design Scene Skye Tan 'A Religious Experience' Dilia Oviedo

‘Chapel’ Melissa Rodwell Ricardo Oyarzun

Final piece To produce a fashion magazine feature which incorporates photographs and copy. The images I intend to take will utilize sacred dress with erotic compositions and underlying sexual tones. The photographs will portray how symbolism and the demoralisation of sacred dress illustrate a disregard for religious beliefs. The copy will explain how fashion has played a part in demoralising faith by eroticizing sacred dress. Method I intend to photograph my model wearing religious clothing and shooting in church grounds if this can be achieved, and within the studio. I shall pose the model in a way which could be seen to exploit and sexualise the holy garments. I shall be working with colour and black and white.

Target Audience This chosen theme could appeal and attract a varied target audience… Satanic/ Atheists Fashion Editors/Enthusiasts However I shall be aiming my final piece at over eighteens, due to the nudity and controversial nature of the project Religious figures Designers

Speech which accompanied presentation Slide 1 The eroticization of sacred dress threatens to demoralise Christianity, with holy garments dominating the catwalk as fashion adopts religious iconography. Slide 1 – This is to be read whilst Jean Paul Gaultier video is playing High street stores gather inspiration from catwalk collections and are perhaps as guilty as the designers for promoting sacred dress as a form of fashion. Idolization has shifted from the sanctity of the faith to what appears flattering on a fashion conscious society. Jean Paul Gaultier as seen here is a leading designer who uses religion throughout his works. There is something mysterious and to a degree sexually exciting about a catwalk collection containing prayer shawls, jewelled head crowns amongst interesting interpretations of holy garments. Slide 3 Sacrilegious imagery can be found in editorial publication and can trigger emotional responses from the public. The eminent magazine Harpers Bazaar Hong Kong recently published a magazine spread titled ‘Erotica’ in the September 2012 issue. Photographer Ethan Zhong explores the idea of sexuality and religion and examines the power faith has upon the fashion industry. The editorial features erotic clothing alongside sensual compositions. Zhong magnifies the female form whilst combining a sexual image with the help of sacred dress. Religious symbolism is evident with jewelled and materialistic crosses and studded headbands which could be seen as mimicking Jesus’ crown of thorns Slide 6 – Method explained further Shall be taking photographs in the studio and in church grounds which I feel will add to the overall composition and quality and theme of the images. I shall try working in colour and in black and white and see which works best however I feel the black and white images add a sense of darkness to the already controversial nature of the project.