Pure fashion headlines dignity

Youth learn hip tips plus self-respect

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"I have always wanted to be a role model to other girls and this is one way that I can be a role model for my peers," the 14-year-old said. "I won't wear anything that shows too much cleavage or a skirt that is too short. And it's not because I want to hide something,but because I want to show the dignity I have. I just don't want to be seen as an object."

Pure Fashion Show

The Pure Fashion Show was started in the United States about five years ago by the Challenge Leadership Clubs for Girls, a Catholic network of clubs dedicated to helping girls discover and develop their natural talents.

Modesty and purity

Although not all show participants are challenge club members, all agree they can dress fashionably without compromising their modesty.

The girls spent most of April 16 at St. Andrew's Centre reflecting on the upcoming show. They learned about the virtue of purity, body image from a Christian viewpoint, as well as how to apply makeup and walk the runway with grace and elegance. Six major Edmonton clothing retailers have already agreed to loan clothing and shoes for the show.

Corinna Crockett, one of the show coordinators, said the purpose of the show is to empower adolescent girls to discover the power of modesty in their dress and their lifestyle.

"We want to teach girls it's OK to dress modest and still be fashionable," she said. "To be modest, you don't have to dress like your grandma with a turtleneck all the time and super long dresses. You can be cute, stylish and in fashion and still be modest."

Leanna Hagman, another show coordinator, agreed. "You can be absolutely beautiful and modest at the same time," she said. "Modesty is being elegant and dignified and classy; it doesn't mean that you have to show skin and wear less clothing to be beautiful."

Dresses to be worn at the show can't be lower cut than four fingers below the collar bone and skirts can't be shorter than four fingers above the knee.

The girls say it's getting easier to dress more current, and less revealing, with new fashions.

Rachel Mercer, a 14-year-old member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, looked cool in overalls and a long T-shirt. "You can dress modestly and still be beautiful," she said shyly. "If you dress modestly, you make God proud because you are not dishonouring what he gave you."

Carleen Spratt, a 13-year-old Challenge member from near Spruce Grove, sported a professional look with a black blazer and a white blouse underneath and black pants and shoes. "I enjoy wearing classy clothes like this," she said. "I feel quite comfortable with the clothes that I wear. I don't feel the need to dress provocative."

No spaghetti straps

Spratt said she has never felt pressured to dress provocatively "because the people I hang around with know my values and they respect them." And if she tried, she wouldn't get away with it. "Before I leave the house, my parents always look at my outfit and my makeup and make sure it's respectable and that I'm presentable."

Fontaine, looking comfortable in blue jeans and a white hoodie, believes modelling will not only allow her to be a role model for her peers but also bring Christ to other girls.

"It's not just about modelling the clothes; it's this thing of being different for a purpose. Maybe modelling will spark a conversation which will allow me to bring Christ to others."

As a homeschooler, she doesn't face peer pressure to wear scanty clothes at school but feels that pressure everywhere else, especially at her karate classes and piano lessons.

"There is a pressure there to compromise my standards but I made my choice and won't change it because I'm doing it for Christ. I think that Christ asks us to dress modestly and I think when we dress immodestly it doesn't show our dignity as God's children."

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