Mixing faith and fashion at Forever 21

Every time shoppers leave an outlet of Los Angeles-based Forever 21, they walk away with a bit of spirituality along with their sequined tunic (only $22.24!). A story by the Times' Leslie Earnest notes that Don and Jin Sook Chang, owners of the fast-growing apparel chain, are devout Christians who often attend 5:30 a.m. prayer services and have given millions to their church. Evidence of their strong religious convictions can also be found at the bottom of every Forever 21 shopping bag:

Each bag is inscribed with "John 3:16" -- the New Testament passage that says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

That may seem odd to some but not to those who consider shopping a religious experience.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Stefano Paltera/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Josie Clunt.]

What a bunch of hypocrites! Forever 21 is notorious for ripping off designers and they have several pending lawsuits against them for copyright infringement.

[Hypocrites]

Too bad Forever 21 is one of the worst violators in the apparal industry. Their garments are sewn by contractors that pay the worst wages in the United States, working long hours and receiving not even minimum wage, let alone overtime and other benefits. If they were truly Christian, the money that the "donate" would go into the pockets of those that actually make their clothes

[isic]

serious sign of the decline of our civilization! religion is so corrupted and lost from it's true meaning that people will do anything for churches now. including give them all there money and putting faith in god that something will help pay there rent. what they need to do is believe in nothing but themselves and live if without being lied to by religious freaks who take your money. and the hell with forever 21 they suck. it's just yet another scheme to get more money from lost souls

[Ian]

Its their money and if they want to give it to their church its their prerogative. I'm no defender of churches but why should they be criticized for doing what they want with their money? Would you feel better if they spent more of their money on fancy cars, fabulous homes all over the world, and gorging themselves in luxury goods all the time? If they're doing something illegal that's one thing but what they want to do with their money is a whole other issue. There's a lot envy going on and apparently a lot of people who feel the Christian church wronged them somehow. Boo hoo. Get over yourselves.

[Anna Maria]

My teenage daughter showed it to me. The first time I saw it I was overjoyed. John 3:16 printed on the bottom of the Forever 21 bags is a wonderful thing for the owners to do. Good for them ! God bless Don and Jin Sook Chang.
John 3:16 is the most important message of the entire bible; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
By printing this bible verse number on the bottom of each bag they are, in a small humble way, doing something to spread this good news as Christian people. They are not forcing anything on anyone.

I look at that bible verse as a reminder of what is really important in life and I think twice about my own personal issue with worldly materialism. (Makes me not want to spend too much, more than I need to anyway, and focus more on loving others and living right.)

[robin]

Some of you who left comments are so negative. I love their clothes and they have every right to spread joy and faith to others. Wish others well and it will do you good.

[dos cojones]

it's like in n out burger having bible verses on the bottoms of cups.

it's hilarious how some people are getting worked up and offended over this. who gives a shit? if you honestly find yourself getting all worked up over this then turn off your computer and go outside or grow a pair.

[j. Beard]

The Bible states that if you are ashamed of God before men, He will be ashamed of you when you reach his kingdom. The Chang's are doing exactly what Jesus commissioned us all to do in Matthew 28: 19-20.

Completely support their efforts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in the most effective way possible, thru fashion.

Genius!!!

[LISA]

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS GREAT! MANY PEOPLE TEND TO FIND FAULT IN ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH RELIGION. GOD GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEPT HIM OR NOT. DONT GO AROUND BEING JUDGEMENTAL,GOD DOES NOT TO THAT TO US. THERE ARE NOT MANY POSITIVE THINGS THESE DAYS. FOREVER 21 IS POSITIVE AND WITH THE LORD BY YOUR SIDE U SHALL OVERCOME AND SHINE!!!!!!! BLESSING N CONTINUE TO THE LORDS WORK.

[janel]

hey, i think its cool, & i dont get why som peeps get so po-ed. what christians (true blue christians, not the vatican or teleevangelist, with an exception to some) do to anyone? it makes me luv them even more!