Text 
Teen girls at event say conservative clothes are beautiful
By JAMIE LAMPROSOGDEN -- Teenage girls can look beautiful without flaunting their bodies.
Nearly 40 of them wanted to get that message across Saturday afternoon as they modeled dozens of modest dresses during a fashion show at Peery's Egyptian Theater.
"We are representing our Father in Heaven in the way we dress," said Kathryn Hanks, 16, of Bountiful.
"I think it's horrible the way society makes the body more important than the mind. Dressing modestly shows you have confidence in yourself, and it also helps boys maintain their focus."
Hanks was a runner-up in the Modest Prom Dress contest this year, sponsored by Modest By Design Clothing Company. She will receive a $50 gift certificate for designing her own modest prom dress and writing an essay on the importance of dressing modestly.
Grand prize winner Krista Purser, of Murray, will get to have the dress she designed made by the company and will have it just in time for prom this year.
Last year's winner, Leslie Gerber, 17, of Centerville, said the dress she designed couldn't have turned out any better.
"It's so beautiful. It's a princess cut with a huge skirt. I got to wear it to the prom last year," she said. "I was really scared because everyone knew I won, so they were all watching to see me come in the dress I had designed."
Two fashion shows were held for the girls to show off the latest semiformal and formal dress designs made by the company, which has stores in Layton and Murray. Dozens of dresses were shown, made of shimmery silk and satin fabrics in an array of colors -- coral, sapphire, hot pink, emerald, yellow, lavender. Some had simple sashes, while others were accessorized with sequins and lace.
Brooklyn Bown, 16, of Layton, said that when she dresses modestly, she feels happy and positive.
"I see a lot of girls who dress immodestly at dances, and the whole time they are there they are pulling their dresses down or pulling up the top," she said. "I think the way you dress also reflects your actions."
Seventeen year-old Alycia Altom said the way a girl dresses also earns her a certain reputation.
"The way people view you is reflected in the way you dress. I don't want to send the wrong message about myself," she said. "You can look really pretty while keeping your values high."
Eddie and Heather Gist, along with Jeff and Elaine Ferguson, opened Modest By Design Clothing Company in 1999. Gist said since the time he began sewing in the seventh grade, he wanted to have his own clothing line.
"You know, you have to take home economics when you're in the seventh grade, and I really liked it. When you're a boy in seventh grade, the most important things to you are food and girls," Eddie Gist said. "There were only three guys in the class, so it was a really great thing for me."
Gist said he played football and was on the wrestling and track teams throughout junior high and high school. At the same time, however, he continued sewing without announcing that fact to any of his friends.
"I actually got a wrestling scholarship but couldn't go to a big tournament because I had to go to a fashion show," he said. "I got my fashion-merchandising degree on a wrestling scholarship."
After graduation, Gist went to work in retail in New York. While living there, Gist joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his focus in fashion started to change somewhat.
"I was real concerned with modesty, and there was definitely a need for it," he said.
Fifteen year-old Kelly Glad said she is grateful Gist opened up the store.
"I'm involved in pageants and we always go to their store, and they help me find beautiful modest dresses to wear," she said. "Dressing modestly gives me confidence in the way I look, and it makes my parents proud of me. I know I look good because I am presenting myself in a positive way. When you dress immodestly, guys start looking for other things besides your personality."
Add Your Comment
Actually, Catholics, including teens, have been trying to maintain and promote traditional dress for years. In recent years, a young Catholic girl got Nordstrom to carry a conservative line of clothes for a short time. I think that dress goes beyond the religion one practices. It has to do with decency.
Please read our posting guidelines before reporting a comment.