Fashion is My Religion
The encounter between fashion and religion is as ancient as it is intriguing. Fashion often draws inspiration from both the religious idiom and its glorious splendor to create a modernity that is transformative.
It is sacred to some, a cult to others, judged by many but celebrated by all. Fashion constantly influences aesthetic motives and substantive critique. With The Monastery as the backdrop for New Orleans Fashion Week to celebrate all things fashion, this year’s event promises to be a spiritual experience that elevates into a kind of heaven.
Meet the “Fashion Makers”
Designer Pedram Pasha Taheri, a Persian entrepreneur, combined his background interior design with his keen sense of style, textiles and apparel merchandising into the world of couture fashion. His atelier, Pedram Couture, started only a few years ago, and Taheri has dressed national celebrities and local personalities. His visionary creativity produces incomparable one-of-a-kind pieces tailored with extreme attention to details.
Luca Falcone Custom Clothier was created as a result of one man’s vision (Joe Rotolo), and a team of talented tailors and designers united by one mission: to build handmade custom garments made with the finest Italian fabrics fit to perfection. Luca Falcone is not just a clothing brand; it is a lifestyle created to free customers from the limitations of off the rack and truly put the power of custom in their own hands.
Using unconventional materials, touchable textiles and life experiences as her inspiration, designer Mimi Holaday creates cutting-edge fashion that makes everyone do a double take of her haute styles, under the label Halo Mimi. Think “Gatsby meets gypsy.” This contemporary collection gives a feeling rich in culture, modern style and silhouettes that celebrate the female curves. Holaday, a spirited New Orleans native with an innate sense of style, combines sequins, tassels, Venetian lace and vinyl to create daring fashions for the fashion-forward aficionado who doesn’t want to have a cookie-cutter style. Holiday was crowned New Orleans Fashion Week Top Designer 2017.
After studying painting at Tulane University, Michelle Beatty began dabbling in textile design. She made her fashion debut in New Orleans Fashion Week’s Top Design Competition (2011 and 2012) where she was one of the audience favorites. Beatty returned to NOFW’s runway showcasing an organic collection co-created with local artist Sarah Dunn. Currently residing in New York, Beatty will debut her new label Pepper Dumaine, a modern, whimsical street style at NOFW8.
Fashion Editor: Tracee Dundas | @fashionablyyoursnola
Photographer: Deorin Payne | @de_orleans
Hair & Makeup: Jordan for Voodoo Makeup | @voodoomakeup
Shoot Location: The Monastery, New Orleans
New Orleans Fashion Week | March 18-24 | neworleansfashionweek.com