In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. I on the other hand created that faux "Baphometcore" trend report which inspired the creation of this blog.

As Above - So Below.

Welcome to Esoteric Silhouettes, a brand-new blog dedicated to demystifying occult symbolism in fashion. Here we will explore the intentional and unintentional use of occult symbols, as well as the fascinating religious nods and references found in various fashion collections.

As a chaos magician with a background in fashion design, I have always been fascinated by the use of symbols in fashion. However, it often pains me to witness how sacred symbols are being misinterpreted, vilified, or simply reduced to decorative elements without due understanding or recognition.

Which reminds me of that Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode where they used a magick symbol for their haunted house and accidentally activated it. This lack of awareness is not only dangerous, but it also deeply disrespects the cultures and beliefs from which these symbols originate, and further perpetuates ignorance and misinformation.

Through this blog, I aim to lift the veil on the sometimes hidden magick symbolism used in fashion.

In no particular order, here are some great Fashion x Magick moments:

• Dilara Findikoglu SS18

I absolutely love this show. It has even been “reviewed” by Catholic.org, which is pretty amusing. The show itself is said to portray the unity of various groups such as thinkers, rebels, and religious leaders, mimicking the meaning of the pentagram which represents the unity of elements. So, the fact that this was the closing look makes perfect sense, and I must say, the overall execution of this concept is quite remarkable.

• Rick Owens x Dr Martens

Although commonly referred to as "pentagram boots," the star on the boots is actually a Unicursal Hexagram. This six-pointed star is an important symbol in the mystical system and new religious movement of Thelema, founded by Aleister Crowley in the early 1900s. The symbol represents the concept of "as above, so below," which suggests that the microcosm and macrocosm are reflections of each other. The Unicursal Hexagram can also symbolize the harmonious union of opposites, such as male and female, heaven and earth, or other complementary pairs. A distinct difference between a regular hexagram and a unicursal hexagram is that it can be drawn in one continuous line.

• Courrèges FW 23

This is just speculation on my end, as after reading the show notes, it seems like this application was an unintentional reference. Those round grey mirrors, however, distinctly remind me of scrying mirrors. What are scrying mirrors? They are a type of divination tool used for gaining insight and knowledge by gazing into them. They are typically made of dark, reflective surfaces such as black glass or obsidian.

• Joan, McQueen

As a big fan of Joan of Arc, this particular collection really touches my heart. It captures the essence of her story: she was burned at the stake as a heretic but later canonized as a saint. It's sad that she left the world in this way, but I believe this relates to the ritual use of fire. Fire is often seen as an activator, like when you burn a symbol to release it in hopes of bringing forth a desired outcome. After you burn something, you're left with ashes, but like the phoenix, you can rise again and start a new cycle. McQueen’s interpretation encourages the viewer to reclaim their power. Personally speaking, I'm happy that she received her redemption, but it makes me think about the many other figures who also deserve to be “canonized”, but more on this later (wink wink).

To conclude, taking the time to understand the enigmatic world of occult symbolism in fashion is an act of respect. It allows us to delve deeper into the artistry and meaning woven into the designs that grace the runways, streets, and screens.

So, the next time you see a ⛥pentagram⛥ or an all-seeing eye on a runway, don't be afraid to dig a little deeper and appreciate the deeper meaning behind the symbol or its application.

Thank you for reading. “See” you next time.

As always, I just want to say thanks to my mentors and muse for the ever support.

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