Nolcha Fashion Week: New York Presented by RUSK 2013: Danilo Gabrielli Talks Role of Christian Faith in Design Process
Italian designer, Danilo Gabrielli, is gearing up to showcase his SS14 collection at Nolcha Fashion Week: New York presented by RUSK in Manhattan on Wednesday, and he recently spoke exclusively with The Christian Post about the role in which his faith plays in the design process.
For decades Christians and non-Christians have grappled with the merging of pop culture, sex and fashion, particularly the fashion industry's tendency to blur the lines between modesty and nudity.
Gabrielli, who prides himself on creating high-end pieces for the modern woman, is one of the few accomplished designers that has been able to successfully create alluring yet modest clothing without having to resort to the sexualization of women. The London based designer attributes this rare talent in-part to his Christian faith.
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"As a believer in Jesus Christ I believe that God gives each of us talents and [I] try to please God in the best way," Gabrielli told CP. He added that he tries to honor his Christian faith "by using my creative talents to dress everybody (including Christians) appropriately."
On August 25 pop singer Miley Cyrus, 19, made headlines when she took to the stage at the MTV VMAs in Brooklyn dressed in just a latex bra and hotpants. The former Disney star, along with other pop culture icons such as Rihanna and Katy Perry, often pushes the envelope with revealing fashion choices and this undoubtedly influences her impressionable young fans.
Gabrielli acknowledged that skimpy clothing has become more commonplace in pop culture and mainstream fashion. He explained his personal decision to reject this disturbing trend.
"Absolutely yes. It's my choice to stay away [from it]... it's not so much about the price point or material selection but more about when I look on the street sometimes its just too much," he said regarding "younger generations" and the growing pressure to show skin.
"It's unnecessary. A woman can be beautiful without showing too much," he insisted.
In addition to his faith, Gabrielli, who has worked in fashion for over two decades, is at times also inspired by history. His AW13 collection, which was inspired by the medieval period of 1200 – 1300, features "dresses with tight bodices, fitted skirts, corsets, flowing capes and constructed coats."
This year fans should expect to see a new collection that was inspired by the "late sixties, early 70s" era, when Gabrielli's models hit the runway at Pier 59 in Manhattan.
Gabrielli revealed that his timeless designs are intended to "make women look elegant and confident." He believes that more woman should aspire to look "powerful and strong" as opposed to racy and revealing.
During Wednesday's closing show, fashionistas will get to see two designs by 13-year-old Katherine,
who made a wish to become a fashion designer through the Make-A-Wish foundation. Gabrielli generously helped grant the 10,000th wish of Make-A-Wish Metro New York.
"Working with Danilo to create my own fashion designs was an incredible experience, and to have my pieces in a show during Fashion Week is really amazing," Katherine told PR NewsWire. "I am thankful to Make-A-Wish and Danilo for making my wish come true."
Danilo Gabrielli's runway show will take place during Nolcha Fashion Week: New York presented by RUSK, at 9:30pm on September 11 at Pier 59.
For press related enquiries or to RSVP to the show, please contact Alyson Roy of AMP3 Public Relations via 646.827.9594 or nolcha@AMP3pr.com.
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