Fashion stylist, Marie Smith shares how her love of fashion goes hand in hand with her faith. The two aren’t separate

As a Christian woman, I love fashion. To go even further, I love full on glamorous, exuberant fashion, which definitely gives my secret away that I am a maximalist.

As a young girl I was fascinated with the costumes of old Hollywood Bible movies. I remember being transfixed to the screen and loving how the designs transformed the actors and transported me to another place and time in history. I knew even as a little child how fashion made me feel. Those feelings however, became confused when I would hear sermons on modesty and the Godly woman. Modesty by definition is the quality or state of being unassuming; behavior, manner or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency. 

You are taught as a woman to not be overly flashy, that your inside is more beautiful than your outside and that your gentle and quiet spirit should shine. All of these are more than correct but, therein lies the question, what do you do with the Christian woman who wants to wear flashy pieces during the day or the woman who relates to Eva Gabors’ character in the 1960's television show Green Acres?

Gabor’s character Lisa wore evening gowns on a farm and I loved every minute of it. My heart sings looking at Haute Couture, my heart leaps at seeing women like Iris Apfel and Lana Turner in Harlem, NY. I adore seeing royal woman around the world in their formal day wear when everyone else is wearing jeans.

Queen Maxima's hats are a gift to my fashion soul. Watching Diana Ross make her entrance in a huge gown that almost covers a whole stage is glorious. There are so many women like me who love seeing people on the street that dare to dress flamboyantly, that you feel compelled to stop them and thank them for having the courage to look different.

What is it like for the Christian woman that wants to go full on artsy, glam? My suggestion is to trust God and enjoy the fact that we love beauty and style. The way we dress, along with our flare can be used by God as a tool to share the Gospel. I remember when I had questions about this very thing and the Holy Spirit gave me one name, Lydia. Lydia was the dealer of purple cloth in the Bible, she was in the fashion industry. Purple in ancient times was associated with wealth, honor and royalty. How inspiring it is that her trade was included in her story in the Bible.

This past summer I dared to put my dream into action, I started my own fashion company CFW Capitol Fashion Week. If I can turn my passion into what will soon be a prestigious fashion business in Washington, DC so can you. Pursue your love of fashion, God gave it to you for a reason, now run with it!

Marie Deborah Smith is the Founder and Executive Director of  CFW Capitol Fashion Week™. She is a resident of historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and she currently works for the DC Superior Court. She is a foodie, and a maximalist. While leading CFW Capitol Fashion Week  her dream is to become the official protocol and wardrobe coordinator for royal women and first ladies around the world.