Designer Depicts Scripture on the Runway"Clothing real women can wear!" An internationally acclaimed designer's Scripturally-themed collections are finding acceptance in Toronto, Los Angeles and New York.by Tim CallawayAn internationally acclaimed fashion designer is finding broad acceptance of his Scripturally-themed clothing collections in Toronto, Los Angeles and New York.
Paul Hardy, who designs high-end women's wear, says he's pleased with the reception earned by collections based on Bible stories such as the fall of Jerico, Rahab the harlot, Christ's healing the blind man and Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well.
"Part of the reason the public's response has been so gratifying is because of my background," says Hardy. "From about the time I was in Grade six, I believed God was calling me to be a fashion designer. The church circles I grew up in were quite conservative, so suffice it to say I didn't get many affirmations when I shared my calling. Many people were openly skeptical, doubting that God wants any of His children involved in the world of fashion design."
The Winnipeg native was undeterred, however, and followed his dreams to Ryerson University where he obtained a design degree before moving to Calgary to work as a personal shopper at Holt Renfrew.
Shortly after moving to Calgary, Hardy found a supportive group of believers at University Church. "I owe a lot to the people there," he says. "They firmly believe God needs His witnesses in all parts of the marketplace including such traditionally neglected sectors as the world of fashion or film."
Although he enjoyed his work with Holt Renfrew, Hardy was eager to start his own company and begin showing his designs on the runways of the world.
Spiritual direction
"I recall sitting on my bed one day, complaining to the Lord that things weren't working out the way I planned," he says. "As I reflected, God showed me I wasn't spiritually prepared to go into this business. The impression I received was that I had no spiritual covering from which to launch into the competitive world of fashion design."
"From the outset, the mandate for my company has been to be an agent of change," Hardy says. |
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So Hardy approached his pastor and arranged for intensive Christian discipleship. Twelve months later he left Holt Renfrew to start his own company, Paul Hardy Designs.
"From the outset, the mandate for my company has been to be an agent of change," Hardy says. "I wanted to introduce something more than a brand; I was eager to communicate social concepts.
"I became intrigued by the theme of silence as seen in God's directive to Joshua to have the people refrain from uttering a word in their march about Jericho. Scripture tells us faith comes by hearing. If you're not speaking, you're listening. I became overwhelmed with how frequently the Bible encourages us to be silent and wait on God."
Hardy's "Silence" collection was shown in Toronto and opened with the reading of the story of Elisha waiting for the still, small voice of God. Models then walked out during a period of complete silence.
"The Globe and Mail referred to it as 'the second coming of the fashion industry,'" Hardy laughs. The commendation helped earn him the professional break he was looking for.
"The second season I focused on the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man as my theme," he says. "God literally performed a miracle in getting me into a prestigious show. It was like He was saying, 'Paul, how can you show a collection based on a miracle if you haven't really experienced that I am still in the business of performing them?'"
The Los Angeles Times applauded Hardy's collection, as " … finally, clothing that real women can wear," which helped win him an invitation to show in New York for the past two years.
The Times article affirmed his faith, Hardy says—his faith in God and, more importantly, his faith that God is indeed using him in unique circles.
Tim Callaway is the Alberta correspondent for ChristianWeek. Contact him at alberta@christianweek.org
Originally published in ChristianWeek, April 26, 2005.
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Used with permission of the author. Copyright © 2005 Christianity.ca.