Fasting & Fashion Week
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you [openly].”
In September, I completed a 21-day fast.
I did not want to fast at all, but I knew that I needed to hear from God about some things which could only come through this type of closeness. Fasting has always had a way of bringing me clarity. It also serves as a form of surrender and total dependence on God, even if it’s a struggle.
There are multiple scriptures which detail the significance of fasting in addition to praying, particularly to experience breakthrough (click here to see a really great [brief] video from The Bible Project explaining biblical fasting with some key scriptures). As prayer is a form of communication with God, I also believe that fasting is a nonverbal means of relating with God through the body. It also creates challenges that can only be overcome with the right purview of God, and offers several benefits beyond the physical.
My History With Fasting
When I was in my late 20s, I started fasting annually with a ministry praying for marriage, children, and families. Although I finished these fasts, sometimes restricting my intake to only drinking water for a few days, my outlook was all messed up. When I didn’t receive the relationship I was praying for, or the marriage, or the children, or see the immediate outcome(s), I would become angry with God. Not to mention, my body frame became so much thinner that my mom was concerned for me. At times, I did see fasting as a mechanism for weight loss. There is no doubt that fasting offers health benefits, however, that should not be the primary goal.
In my 30s, realizing that I had the wrong perspective and experiencing multiple transitions, I basically stopped spiritual fasting, only practicing periods of intermittent fasting for health purposes. This was good because I learned how to receive God’s unconditional love through a relationship with Him which I didn’t have to earn (the relationship that I had with my earthly father was a factor in my perception of God—I talk about that more here).
March 14, 2014—
This picture was taken during a time period where I was fasting often. I found this tailored black jumpsuit at a thrift store and wore it to an event. I haven’t been able to fit this jumpsuit since. While I definitely felt “model thin,” I wasn’t my healthiest because I wasn’t exercising; just restricting my food intake under the guise of fasting. Yes, I was also earnestly seeking God and praying through transitions, but I had the wrong overall perspective.
My September 2025 Fast
This time around, a couple of months post my 40th birthday, I was beginning this fast from a more authentic relationship with God, but I was also aware of how challenging it would be for me now. I had not spiritually fasted consistently for years. I’d also been enjoying amazing food and restaurants, as well as participating in regular fitness classes and exercise that I did not want to impede. I knew the level of commitment required and changes needed to my “routine." This is what I wrote in my journal the morning of the first day of the fast before prayer:
God,
I am tired. Yes.
I don’t necessarily feel like I am hearing from you. No.
I don’t feel like fasting either but I probably need to.
And that’s where I began.
I did a Daniel Fast (based on the biblical book of Daniel) and prayed each morning with a small group of five people (dedicated prayer warriors from another church) via Zoom for 21 days + October 1 (an extra day of morning prayer). I restricted my meals most days to essentially one per day in the afternoon with a few snacks—nuts, fruit, vegetables. No meat. None of my typical sweets of candy and cookies. Whole grains. Legumes.
My prayer points:
Intimacy (with the Father)
Insight
Income
Each day, we had designated prayer points still related to families and marriages, but mostly relationship-intimacy with the Father. It was tough at first and I was counting the days, but I made it through the entire fast with power and intention receiving the clarity I desired. On the other side of this fast, I feel great and I feel like God helped me heal some areas so that I am moving forward which is exactly what I needed. I also have a greater level of determination to serve the Lord. So, I’m grateful. While I still desire a Godly mate and a family of my own (hoping that they will happen for me sooner than later), I’m not hung up on them from a place of desperation or desolation. I trust that God will provide and he is working in my heart, mind, and purpose in this time.
Oh and as far a weight loss - I did lose about five pounds which was cool, but because that wasn’t my primary objective, it was just cool. Honestly, after the fast, it has been an adjustment to return to my fitness regiment a few times per week, but I’m getting there.
NYFW + LOOKs FROM PARIS
So, while I was fasting, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) happened in September. It is a dream of mine to visit fashion weeks around the world. I didn’t get to follow as much of the NYFW coverage because of my fast and the rigors of my new assignment as an Adjunct Communications Instructor at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Essex Campus, but I did see a few looks that caught my eye afterwards. I also saw looks from Paris Fashion Week that I loved which started towards the end of my fast.
Admittedly, I’m not glued to fashion media nor do I consider myself a fanatic consumer of fashion. I do have a great appreciation for fashion as an art form and communicative phenomenon, particularly as it exemplifies one’s identity. I also enjoy the presentation and styling of apparel and beautiful fashion pieces. Wearing stylish clothing is also something I enjoy, as well as observing and praising those who wear their clothing well.
A brief note about fashion x Christianity—I recognize and appreciate fashion from all designers and aspects. God is a God of creativity - He is Elohim (Creator.) Consequently, when I acknowledge fashion, I am acknowledging the gifts and creativity He (God) has placed in various designers, the presentation of fashion, people in the fashion industry, and people who wear fashion well. As I mentioned earlier, I view fashion as a cultural form of expression and art. Although I am a Christian, I do not believe that fashion is solely restricted to Christians or those who do not identify as Christians. I simply choose to highlight anything that I see and like, not to influence what you decide to do for your own tastes and/or convictions. As I have boldly stated for years (and need to trademark), ”Fashion is not my conviction.”
Now, with that being said, here are some of my fashion week notices:
Solange attending Luar’s spring 2026 show (photo credit: The Hapa Blonde/GC Images/Getty Images) https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/solange-knowles-black-halter-top-jeans-new-york-fashion-week
Anok Yai walks the runway during the Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/anok-yai-walks-the-runway-during-the-saint-laurent-news-photo/2238158731
Zendaya doesn’t miss. Neither does Law Roach her stylist/“Image Architect” or the rest of her team. Here she is pictured at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 show. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a68131017/zendaya-louis-vuitton-show-paris-fashion-week-silver-mini-coatdress/
This video of Zendaya walking with her team is fire too: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMy3EwMT/
Love Always
XOXO