Popular modesty fashion program to begin this month

Pure Fashion seeks teen participants; program culminates with a fashion show

By Danielle Yuthas

There is a new kind of fashion show in town—Pure Fashion, which highlights modest apparel for teen girls. High school girls from all over Colorado will model in the program’s fashion show next spring.

Pure Fashion promotes how fashionable modesty can be.  Participants go through a nine-month enrichment program to cultivate the human, spiritual, apostolic and intellectual aspects of individuality. The Pure Fashion program is a way to deepen teenagers’ relationships with Christ, wrapped in a central aspect of pop culture: fashion.

The girls become “real models” with an emphasis on being “role models.” Pure Fashion’s director Sallie Hurley, who has a background in fashion design and event planning, noted that if someone is slovenly they won’t be regarded as a leader.  The program’s goal, Hurley said, is for the girls to develop a true understanding of modesty.

“The way you think and conduct yourself is much bigger than what you wear,” she said.  “If girls have a real grasp of personal dignity as given to them by God, everything else makes sense.”

Some of the activities hosted by Pure Fashion as part of the program include a Meet and Greet: Getting to Know Pure Fashion, a sleepover at the Catacombs of St. Thomas More, a Heart and Soul Makeover Overnight Retreat, a Mother/Daughter Etiquette Tea, a Father/Daughter Dance, a Spa Day to find out what styles and colors best complement each individual, and Model Training 101 to practice grace.  The girls will spend a mission day with underprivileged children.  Participants also will have the option to engage in a Holy Week mission experience and a Pure By Choice chastity rally at the Broomfield Convention Center.

Pure Fashion is an apostolate of Regnum Christi, which is an international apostolic movement. Originally Pure Fashion was a three-week program for middle school students that has evolved into an eight-month purity program for high school students.

“I am a part of Pure Fashion so I can help high school youth make better decisions than what was presented to me at that age,” explained Elizabeth Wisniewski, who mentors Pure Fashion participants.

Wisniewski said that in today’s society girls dress provocatively to get attention any way they can, which is why it is so important for them to realize that they are worth more than what they look like.

“The (dignity) message is necessary because people are desperate to be loved,” she said.

Pure Fashion helps the teens realize what they see on television is not the norm and that they need to be more conscious of the messages they send in their dress. The girls go through a transformation over eight months.  Wisniewski said her favorite part is, “seeing them timid and shy at the beginning and then seeing them so confident at the end, not only because they look great but because people are cheering for them for who they are.”

They learn they are unique and created by God exactly how they are for a reason.  When all 50 girls come together it is empowering, Wisniewski said.

“All of their efforts culminate in a city-wide fashion show to embrace changing the world one outfit at a time,” asserted Hurley.

Stores throughout Denver—including Dillard’s, J.C. Penny and Maurice’s—supply the clothes for the fashion show.  Girls learn to pick out clothes based on personal style and body type and they learn modesty tips like accenting an outfit with a tank top underneath.

 The first Pure Fashion event will be held Oct. 18.  The Pure Fashion program is open to all high school girls in Colorado.  Register online at purefashion.com or call Sallie Hurley at 303-741-3355 for additional information. Space is limited and fills up quickly, organizers said.