Divine Inspiration – 5 Fashion Designers Inspired by Catholic Heritage

As the world turns its attention to the Vatican for the Papal Conclave, we reflect on the fashion visionaries who have found sincere inspiration in the richness and symbolism of Catholic tradition.

As the Vatican prepares to welcome a new Pope, the global spotlight is on spiritual leadership and the cultural reverberations of Catholic heritage. This influence extends far beyond the walls of cathedrals into art, architecture and perhaps unexpectedly fashion. Several designers have drawn genuine inspiration from the Church’s centuries-old symbolism, sacred iconography and timeless sense of ceremony. Among them, Christian Lacroix, Dolce Gabbana, Sarah Burton, Guo Pei and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac stand out for their heartfelt tributes to Catholicism’s visual and spiritual legacy.

Christian Lacroix – The Devotee of Ornament and Tradition

For Christian Lacroix, inspiration began at home, specifically in Arles, a city rich in Roman Catholic heritage. His couture collections of the 1980s and 1990s reflected a love of baroque opulence and a reverence for sacred symbolism. Lacroix’s designs frequently incorporated crosses, ecclesiastical silhouettes and sumptuous fabrics, reminiscent of liturgical vestments. Embroidered gold thread, deep crimson and Byzantine detailing transformed his garments into visual homages to Catholic ceremonial beauty. In his work, faith was never costume, it was cultural memory and reverence expressed through fabric.

Dolce & Gabbana – Rooted in Sicilian Devotion

Dolce & Gabbana have long drawn on the spiritual traditions of southern Italy, particularly Sicily, where faith and daily life remain closely intertwined. Their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection stands as one of the most striking examples of fashion inspired by Catholic iconography. Drawing on the mosaics of Monreale Cathedral, the designers created garments that echoed stained glass windows, gilded altars and sacred portraits. Gold embroidered fabrics, detailed Madonnas and ornate crosses celebrated the strength and grace found in the visual language of the Church. Their vision honours a heritage where beauty and devotion coexist.

Alexander McQueen – Sacred Rites Reimagined

In 2013, the late Alexander McQueen’s creative successor, Sarah Burton, unveiled a collection that drew deeply from Christian rituals and ecclesiastical dress. The collection referenced the solemnity and symbolism of Holy Communion, the grace of nuns’ habits and the authority conveyed by the vestments of Cardinals and Popes. Angelic references were woven into white lace and ethereal silhouettes, while gold embroidery recalled traditional church ornamentation. Burton approached these themes with sensitivity, highlighting the enduring dignity of religious garments while reinterpreting them through McQueen’s lens of craftsmanship and modernity.

Guo Pei – Cathedrals in Silk and Gold

Renowned for her architectural gowns and majestic couture, in 2017, Guo Pei presented a collection that paid homage to Catholic sacred art through the lens of Chinese craftsmanship. Models walked the runway adorned with gilded crowns and headpieces, featuring crosses evoking royalty and reverence. The most breathtaking moment came with a white gown crowned by a dramatic headpiece, deliberately shaped to echo the dome of a European cathedral. Although the daughter of two members of the communist party, Guo’s work blends spiritual inspiration with exquisite technique, offering a truly transcultural tribute to the sacred.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac – A Designer of Faith and Colour

Known for his bold use of colour and symbolism, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has often looked to religion not for provocation but for inspiration rooted in cultural and spiritual meaning. Most notably, he was commissioned to design the liturgical vestments for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 8, 2024. After the devastating fire of 2019, this moment marked a significant return to sacred space, and Castelbajac rose to the occasion with great respect.

He created over 2000 vestments for clergy and officiants, each piece honouring both liturgical function and artistic beauty. With a large golden cross and vibrant accents in red, blue, yellow and green velvet, the designs symbolised unity, light and renewal. It was a calling he stated in interview,s underscoring the deeply personal meaning of contributing to one of Christianity’s most iconic landmarks.

Fashion Inspired by Faith

These designers demonstrate that faith, when approached with respect and sincerity, can inspire some of fashion’s most meaningful work. Catholicism’s legacy of beauty, seen in illuminated manuscripts, architectural marvels and sacred objects and garments, offers a deep visual language that continues to resonate today. Through the lens of these designers, tradition is not merely preserved, it is reinterpreted with care, devotion and enduring reverence.

Photos by Vogue Runway and Courtesy of @Jean-Chales de Castelbajac