A Facebook war has erupted over Urban Outfitters’ use of certain words deemed impolite. In the words of one commenter, 

 the bottom line is that this is the holidays, we celebrate the birth of Christ! He certainly does not promote such filth! Shame on you Urban Outfitters!

One thing worth noting: so-called filthy words are commonly described as profane. However, at least within the Jewish/Christian context, the scope of the biblical prohibition on improper language is rather narrow, extending only to false oath-taking and abuse of the covenantal divine name YHVH. Outside of this context, biblical language can get rather salty.

Slate has a solid write-up of the language questions here. 

“My favorite nail design of all time is my manicure for the Ten Plagues. After all, that’s clearly why God gave us ten fingers!”

For more info on MidrashManicures.com, check out this interview with Rabbi Yael Buechler on GlobalGrind.  

As noted in this recent WWD article, Shamballa Jewels is a company that has parlayed bracelets patterned after prayer beads into a global multimillion dollar business. The design of the company’s new Copenhagen flagship is “between a yoga shall, which is a meditation hall for yogis, and a monastery.”

At graduate exhibitions of Israeli academies’ jewelry design departments, you can find lots of creative work – from trendy pieces to unusual clothing accessories. Sharon Weiser-Ferguson, an associate curator at the Israel Museum, would be glad if young designers showed an interest in Judaica, too.

It’s not so far-fetched because Judaica was once very popular at the metalworking department of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

“A different kind of Judaica can be produced,” says Weiser-Ferguson, the curator of the exhibition “Forging Ahead: Wolpert and Gumbel, Israeli Silversmiths for the Modern Age,” which opened Friday at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Now available at Islamic fashion store Alrashika, Katie Miranda Islamic jewelry. Above: the women’s Allah pendant.

An oh so historically accurate Hollywood publicity still featuring Jean Arthur and Lillian Roth.

In a move evoking the Christian holiday of Black Friday, New York ethical fashion start-up Everlane goes dark in response to post-Thanksgiving consumerism. Presumably it won’t wait three days to resurrect the site.

From 6 Dollar Shirts, an irreverent take on Christmas consumerism.

The new cashmere sweater collection at Calypso St. Barth is cosmically aligned with the mathematical astrology of the designer’s mother, Susan Miller.

At St. Louis Fashion Week, a pastor models a Jeff Wunrow design in what may very well be the world’s first liturgical vestment runway show.