The best of the fashion industry reflects the very heart of God, according to Christians working in the industry.
Christians can help bring God into fashion and address some of the darker issues, such as eating disorders and zero-hours contracts, according to a film today by the Church of England on the eve of London Fashion Week.
Chrissie Abbott, who has worked for 25 years in international fashion, started a group, Fashion for Christ, for people in the industry.
The group, which includes models among its members, will be meeting for prayer during London Fashion Week.
Abbott says: "Just to see what God has done in the fashion industry has been the most incredible blessing. I've seen people get jobs, I've seen people supported, I've seen people mentored. I think lots of people look at us and think, how can God be in the fashion industry?
"And I truly believe that God is there, in every sector, in every business. The most important thing is that you just connect with Him, you call Him into that industry, you honour Him."
Simon Ward for many years organised London Fashion Week and campaigned for improvements to working conditions for suppliers and interns, and on issues of body image and identity.
He says: "A lot of people look at the world of fashion and they ask a lot of questions about its priorities, the image it portrays and so on. And particularly in the Church, I think a lot of people would ask the question: 'What does God make of this industry?' That's an issue that I've been thinking about for over 30 years as I've worked in the world of fashion. And I've come to the conclusion that actually, God is really interested in this world of fashion."
He bases this on the Bible.
"If we look at the beginning of the Bible, God created. He's a God of creativity. And fashion is just one of those areas that really focuses on creativity. And what did he do first? He created the seasons. So I think the idea that fashion changes a lot again reflects God's heart."
Ward, whose new book The Character of Fashion will be launched at St Sepulchre's Church in central London tomorrow, adds: "All the way through the Bible, clothing and fashion imagery jump out of the pages at us. In the New Testament, the first Christian in Europe was Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth."
Even St Paul talks of being clothed in compassion and putting on the full armour of God.
Jesus in heaven is described in terms of what he is wearing, with a gold sash around his chest.
The New Jerusalem comes down "dressed as a bride".
Rev Peterson Feital, missioner to the creative industries for London Diocese and founder of The Haven+, a charity that gives spiritual support to people working in the fashion and entertainment industries, says fashion can help affirm "the way God has made us…without feeling trapped or condemned by it".
