With London Fashion Week in all the papers last week, it reminded me of these photos I took a few weeks ago in Oxford Street. I passed a shop called Forever 21, and saw these two sleeveless T-shirts, with religious themes blazoned across them, but without any explanation.
What’s going on here? Is it just kitsch – like the pink glitter statues of the Sacred Heart in Paperchase? Is it some kind of irony? Is it a political statement – the meaning of which is lost on me? Is it a non-ironic outreach to Christian believers, recognising that there is a vast and largely untapped market here (probably not)? Is it a Banksy-style stunt by a radical Christian group that snuck past the CCTV and re-dressed the manequins before anyone could notice (apart from me)? Does it mean anything that the cross in the second picture is upside down?
Do comment below, especially if you know something I don’t know about this peculiar campaign. – or if you have one of the T-shirts yourself.
Bridges and Tangents 
http://wtforever21.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/forever-21-selling-their-religion/ this might shed some light.
Thanks Tonia – very interesting – I’ll try to re-post this when I get time.
i can’t wait for forever 21 to come to sydney!
http://solipsismdreams.wordpress.com/
Loretta xx
I assumed that the ‘inverted’ cross was a representation of the femine symbol and had no particular religious significance.
I’m not sure that most people would see religious symbolism in either shirt. The cross is an item of decoration. Remember the story about the lady who went into a jewellery shop and asked fr a crucifix for her grand-daughter’s confirmation and was met with the reply “We do two sorts of cross, Madam. One is plain, the other has a little man on it.”
It seems the intention is religious – see Tonia’s link.
I see what you mean! I’m far too old for this and shall crawl back under my stone!!
PS I have underwear which says “St Michael” on it. Does that count?
You never know…
Anglican Patrimony?
I rather hope this might lead to some people asking question about these clothes in their journey for faith. It brings to mind the trend last year for wearing Rosaries around the neck as fashion accessories. Indeed I recall that, in the 1970’s, there was a trend for wearing Crosses, Crucifixes and other religious symbols like the Star of David as fashion accessories, around the neck or as part of a ring.
Even though I’m an adult , I love the fashion at Forever 21. Great looks. I love these tshirts, too.
It isn’t upside down. As you can see. The black color from the letter h fades down as it forms a gray cross. It still is in the right position.