As a designer in Liberty University’s 19th Annual Family and Consumer Sciences Student Fashion Show, I had the chance to bring music to life through fashion design. This year’s theme, Musicology: The Sound of Fashion, celebrated the deep connection between two powerful art forms—music and clothing. Both express emotion, identity, and culture.
Each designer chose a musical genre and used it as inspiration for their garment. We translated sound into fabric, texture, and silhouette. The results ranged from punk to synthwave—each look told a unique story.
For my design, I selected a genre close to my heart: Yeshu Bhajans, or Hindi Christian devotional music. The word bhajan means “song of praise.” Traditionally, these songs honor Hindu deities. However, many Indian Christians have reclaimed the genre, blending cultural beauty with worship of Jesus. I wanted to reflect this blend—faith and tradition working together in harmony.
To bring this vision to life, I combined South Asian silhouettes with Christian symbolism. I created a dark gold lehenga using antique gold dupioni, accented with vibrant reds and bright golds. The deep orange tones—sacred in Hinduism—were reimagined to represent the life of Christ. This was my way of expressing visual redemption through fashion design.
One of the most meaningful elements was the henna-style embroidery, stitched onto the fabric. These motifs told the story of Jesus—His birth, death, and resurrection. They weren’t just decoration. Rather, they were a testimony told through thread and beads. I hand-sewed the embellishments, including sequins and beading, and carefully finished the inside with hidden stitching. My goal was to create a garment that was as beautiful within as it was outwardly expressive.
On the day of the show, a mix of nerves and excitement filled the air. Backstage, designers and models moved quickly—making last-minute adjustments, steaming garments, and praying. When my model stepped onto the runway wearing my design, I felt overwhelming joy, awe, and deep gratitude. A sketch had turned into something real.
I was incredibly honored to be named Runner-Up among so many talented designers. As a first-time participant, I gained more than I expected. Not only did I sharpen technical skills like hand-finishing and embellishment, but I also learned how fashion design can tell powerful stories. Through this process, fashion became more than aesthetic—it became a sacred expression of faith and culture.
In conclusion, I want to thank the incredible leadership team for their guidance, encouragement, and vision. You created a space for creativity, growth, and worship. I’m excited to keep developing this collection and to see where God leads next on my journey in design.
Take a look at some of my other sewing stories! Click here!