Glorifying Christ through fashion

Lifelong dreams came true for Aleona Isakova, a fashion design and illustration professor, as she debuted the Haute Couture Design Gown & Art Exhibit Feb. 23 at DeMoss Hall.

After five years and half a million dollars, Isakova designed and produced a collection of 54 gowns, all biblically inspired, beginning with the creation of mankind and ending with the new heaven and new Earth. The exhibition showcased eight of the 54 gowns, including “Genesis,” “Rose of the Garden of Eden,” “Alabaster Jar,” “Grace by God,” “Beatitudes,” “Rose of Sharon,” “White Lily of Annunciation,” “Gold, Adoration of the Magi,” “Precious Blood of Jesus” and “Bethlehem Night.”

“I had a vision, kind of like a trance,” Isakova said. “I saw all of these dresses in the collection, and it was so beautiful. (God took a) nobody from poor, broken Russia and called (me) to do something extraordinary.”

The exhibit included the gowns and accompanying abstract paintings that Isakova made herself.

“When I paint, I worship,” Isakova said. “I paint abstract art, and I love to do that.”

She has displayed the collection at museums, galleries and events worldwide in places like Israel, Wales, England, Australia and more. 

In 2005, Isakova retired from her career in the fashion industry and committed her life to ministry, speaking to women across the nation.

“Professor Isakova just has such a heart for the Lord,” Kim Cashman, fashion design and merchandising professor, said. “(She) wants to really see fashion students or anyone who sees these gowns to see God’s glory and experience God’s presence.” 

Cashman said that the Family and Consumer Sciences department is “thrilled” for Isakova and glad to be a part of this experience. 

In 2011, when Isakova and her family moved to America, she wanted to donate her collection to a Christian university with a fashion department. Thus, this introduced her to Liberty and all the students and faculty members that her bold faith and expertise would inspire. One such student, Krislyn Grigg, a junior majoring in international business and fashion design, learned from Isakova in class and as an intern.

Grigg and fashion design student Caleb McCall Hibbs helped Isakova prepare the gowns for display during the exhibit. They thoughtfully arranged the display, paying attention to every detail to create a memorable experience for visitors.

“Before I even thought about fashion, I painted a lot, too,” Grigg said. “So it’s amazing that she uses her paintings with her designs. It’s incredible.” 

Over 80 students and faculty members were able to experience the exhibit and read the
accompanying biblical theme attached to each gown. The exhibition showcased each dress with its own sketch and design process that gave insights into the hard work and creativity behind them.

“The gowns are beautiful,” Kendall Fussell, a senior majoring in family and child development, said. “So much talent, and (it’s) such a cool way to share the gospel and just reflect the Lord and the talents and beauty of creation here on Earth.”

The exhibition will be on display throughout the semester on Mondays 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. and Fridays 1-5 p.m in DeMoss 2242. For visitors who wish to see the exhibit outside of these hours, special appointments can be made by emailing kcashman@liberty.edu.

Merritt is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion