As fashion fast conquers the world, even the most religious members of society are utilizing it to spread faith. In an effort to spread Buddhism among youth, as well as win back believers, Japanese monks and nuns staged a fashion show in Tokyo.
40 monks and nuns strutted the catwalk at Tsukiji Honganji temple, exchanging their traditional black robes to elaborate multi-colored robes to appeal to a more fashion-conscious young audience. The show opened with a Buddhist prayer set to a hip-hop beat.
The show was held last Saturday in hope it would help save the Buddhism crisis in Japan.
Buddhist priest Kosuker Kikkawa explains, "Many of us priests share the sense of crisis, and a need to do something to reach out to people. We won't change Buddha's teachings, but perhaps we need a different presentation that can touch the feelings of the people today."
Monks on the Catwalk
A Fashion Show To Win Back Buddhist Believers
Trend Themes
1. Fashion for Faith - Religious groups are utilizing fashion to spread faith among youth and appeal to a more fashion-conscious audience, creating opportunities for fashion brands to collaborate with religious institutions.
2. Religion Rebranding - Religious institutions are looking to rebrand themselves to appeal to the younger generation and win back believers, creating opportunities for marketers and branding experts to help them navigate this transition.
3. Cultural Crossover - The integration of religious and secular cultures is becoming more prevalent, creating opportunities for industries such as fashion and music to tap into this trend and appeal to a wider audience.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can collaborate with religious institutions to create clothing lines and reach a more diverse audience through fashion shows and other marketing initiatives.
2. Marketing - Marketers and branding experts can help religious institutions navigate their rebranding efforts and create messaging that resonates with a younger audience without compromising their beliefs.
3. Music - Musicians can incorporate religious themes and symbols into their lyrics and performances to appeal to a wider audience and capitalize on the growing cultural crossover trend.