Modest fashion
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
SANTA MONICA, CALIF.
The first "MoFash: The Modest Fashion Show" was staged by the Santa Monica California Stake on Saturday, May 3, and was considered a success.
"This is not the standard for a stake event," was the comment offered by Jill Newell, event director for MoFash08 and chairwoman of the stake activities committee.
"The way we dress is a hot topic and we decided to meet the challenge of fashionable and modest head-on," she said. "Most people don't understand the word 'modest' as we know it, but the end result was a waterfall of people supporting our cause."
According to the MoFash Web site, set up for the event, the objectives of the fashion show were not only to showcase modest style ideas, but more so to build confidence and self-worth in women, to support and acknowledge companies that promote modesty in the clothing and products they offer and to grow inter-faith relationships with other organizations that share the Church's standards.
"An event like this can have far-reaching effects," said Los Angeles-South multi-stake director of public affairs Jeff Parker. "The ties that we can create with other congregations and groups with similar concerns for modesty in fashion can send a message and raise awareness in this effort."
On a sunny Los Angeles afternoon, MoFash event staff transformed a small Church-owned ball field into the outdoor runway. With the Los Angeles California Temple in the background, approximately 500 people who attended got a fresh taste of the latest in modest fashion trends.
Santa Monica 3rd Ward members Sunshine Wright, MoFash08 lead stylist, and Sarah Schaub, stylist and design coordinator, spent countless hours down to the wire pulling together the right fashions for all of the modest looks.
"We showcased over 60 looks ranging from swim to sporty, day to night," said Sister Wright. "We wanted to show that it is possible to buy popular styles and wear them modestly. With a little time and creativity, almost anything can be made modest."
Twenty models, professional and non-professional, all volunteers, walked the 48-foot-long catwalk in clothing and styles coordinated by Sister Wright and Sister Schaub. Many of the clothes and accessories were donated or borrowed from several of the almost 20 companies involved in the event.
Hairstylists and make-up artists donated their talents and skills to accent the hot trends down the runway. Stage backdrops and decor were shipped in from out-of-state to give the fashion show a clean and refined look. Makeup tips were offered for women and teens who attended the event.
With only a few months of planning, a limited budget, a small but talented committee of Church members and a grand vision, MoFash08 organizers were happy with the work they put into the event.
