May 12, 2010

True beauty and Christ’s joy shines through these models

By Marissa Carlson

Walk into my high school and see the mini skirts, booty shorts, tiny tanks and more. It is difficult to be the one who does not dress the way that the other girls do. I found myself struggling to dress modestly and fell into the crowd many times.

I first heard about Pure Fashion last year, and went to the show in May 2009. The minute I saw the girls walk out onto the runway, I knew I had to sign up. Watch a modeling show, such as TV’s “America’s Next Top Model,” and then watch a Pure Fashion show. There is a huge difference in the models.

The Pure Fashion models shine with happiness from miles away. Something in their face tells the crowd that they are having the time of their lives. Christ is what shines through these girls. Look at the models in the professional world. They are so serious and they do not look like they are having fun. They are missing Christ!

My favorite thing about Pure Fashion is that we get to model and wear adorable clothes, and look beautiful the day of the show, but also, we get to know Christ and strive to make him our very best friend.

Modesty defined is: “freedom from vanity.” The word modesty is defined in this world as a bad thing because when the word “modesty” is said, people picture high neck clothes and skirts to the floor. No, that is not true! Otherwise I would not be in Pure Fashion! I am a normal high school girl; I want to look cute when I walk into school. Modesty is not about what not to wear, it is about wearing clothes that let people see who you really are on the inside.  I have found the simple guidelines that help me at www.purefashion.com.

Self confidence is the key to being a role model for this confused world. People have gotten the wrong idea about what beauty is and I believe our generation can fix it. If young girls make a statement by wearing clothes that do not show everyone our bodies, then the world will have a change of mind. Walking out onto the runway with a smile on your face is the best possible feeling in the world. I felt so confident the day of the fashion show and while participating in this program since last August.  I have gotten more confident about what I wear and how I feel about myself and my decisions.

In Pure Fashion, I have gained so many friends! They do not all go to my school but they all go to different ones across Colorado. At the beginning of the year, none of us talked that much, and now I text and e-mail and Facebook all of the new girls that I have met. The best part is that they all share the same beliefs as me, and around them, I can be myself and do not have to act the way that others want me to. They are the girls who will be my friends for life because we all believe the same way and our friendship is rooted in Christ. We are challenging the media to let them know that we are not falling for all they are trying to sell us. 

If you are in high school, please, consider signing up! Take it from me; it will be the time of your life!

To register to be a Pure Fashion Model: http://www.purefashion.com/cities/denver

Marissa Carlson is a freshman at Chaparral High School in Parker, Colo.