The Meaning of Birthday Girl Madonna's Crucifix Clutch

Madonna looked magnificent, arriving glamorous in grey, for perhaps an early 52-birthday party in London’s Shoreditch House in East London. Her daughter Lourdes attended, along with her lover Jesus 23. Madonna will celebrate her birthday officially on Wednesday, when her son Rocco turns 10.

Early reports on Madonna’s style for the evening focus on her wearing a crucifix necklace and carrying a large one with her clutch.

Trust us — this style moment has nothing to do with ambivalence between Madonna’s Catholicism and her spiritual attachment to Kabbalah, as printed. These writers haven’t done their homework in interpreting Madonna’s philosophy.

Madonna is a feminist who supports a spiritual mysticism, not the Vatican.

Coincidentally. Taylor Momsen, who launched Madonna’s Material Girl fashion collection in New York a few days ago, poses as Mary Magdalene - in nothing but form-fitting silver lingerie and spike heels — in a “Last Supper”-inspired set for her new video “Miss Nothing”.

“It seemed fitting for the song — the song is about a lover dying,” Momsen explained. “It’s Jesus’s last supper, and [Mary Magdalene] can’t live without him.”

Madonna’s carrying the crucifix is a Smart Sensuality, goddess-woman’s anti-patriarchal statement about religion. European fashion, and a few courageous American women, have always challenged organized religion —  both the Vatican and increasingly Islam.

If writers want to write about the crucifix, then get the story right.

Fall 2010 fashion editorial is strongly co-opting an irreverant stance about women and religion. This is a core theme of Anne of Carversville, and we know the signals when we see them. Kudos, Madame Madonna!