New Religious Movements (NRMs) have a long, interconnected history with distinct forms of dress and clothing. However, research on NRMs has not focused sufficiently on the clothing and material culture of these groups. In response, this Element examines the central role that dress plays in the creation of charismatic leaders and the formation of faithful followers. Through a variety of case studies – ranging from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to Father Divine, from the Children of God to the Nation of Islam – we see how dress and fashion practices provide people with a powerful way to live and wear their faith. In addition, the fashion industry takes note and incorporates ideas about cults and clothing into their trends and styles. In doing so, it fuels the cult stereotype and fosters normative understandings of what constitutes good religion.
By:
Lynn S. Neal (Wake Forest University) Imprint: Cambridge University Press Country of Publication: United Kingdom Weight: 147g ISBN:9781009304658 ISBN 10: 1009304658 Series:Elements in New Religious Movements Pages: 92 Publication Date:13 February 2025 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction; 1. Clothing and the creation of the cult leader; 2. Dress and the devotion of NRM followers; 3. Fashion and the maintenance of the cult stereotype; 4. Concluding thoughts; References.