.

One of my girlfriends was shot in the chest after being robbed last night. I’ve been at the hospital since early this morning. She was talking when I left, however she is still in the intensive care unit. Your prayers for her recovery would be appreciated.

~Rebecca

Shot by the amazing Ja Tecson.

The second week of Decent Exposure was hectic to say the least…

In addition to the fashion show developments I already posted, we had formation session #2, a shopping trip, and a fabulous photoshoot!

At Thursday’s session, Megan spoke about manhood and womanhood, and what Christ-centered femininity looks like in today’s world.  

I was scheduled to film Katelyn and Jessica shopping for outfits at Urban Outfitters on Saturday morning, however it was one of those days where everything that could go wrong did…

We were supposed to meet at 10 am, however Katelyn and I were both running late, she from San Diego and me from LA. (We were meeting in the middle in the OC.)  As soon as I arrived at the store Jessica comes out of a dressing room with a bunch of dresses in hand, a distressed look on her face, and the words, “HELP ME PICK OUTFITS!” Apparently, she told the girls to be at her house at 11 am.  At this point it was about 10:37 am.

What ensued was the pair of us running around the store trying to put pieces together as quickly as possible. Katelyn and her brother arrived about 20 minutes later and we made the final selections.  I left the store early to get to Jes’ house to try to host the girls who had already been there for an hour. Thankfully, Lals had arrived long before I did and was able to get them into hair and make up.

Jes’ house in Old Town Orange served as the backdrop for the shoot.  Once I get the photos I will post them. (Should be at some point this week.) In the meantime, check out the first promo video for the program with footage from the photoshoot: 

Next week, Jes will be giving a chastity talk and I will be pulling my hair out whilst filming and selecting more clothes for the show in LA. Shipments from out-of-state designers will be arriving shortly this week…

…is a must have!

Kara DioGuardi

Dita von Teese

Cameron Diaz

Audrina Patridge

Maggie Gyllenhaal

We have a location!!

Originally we were going to have the show in the parish hall, but from what I’ve heard it’s hideous, so one of the youth ministers that has become a bit of a mentor to the core team tried to get us another location…and she did!

The show will still be on July 11th at 6pm at the Girkis Residence in Orange, CA.  Jessica and I went and visited yesterday and are so very happy that the owners are going to let us use their backyard for the show. I know what that sounds like, but trust me, it’s huge and GORGEOUS. The home has been the site of a number of formal events.   

The runway is going to be very long, giving each girl about 1-2 minutes per appearance and will circle around a pool and two ponds. (Yes, the yard is big enough for hundreds of people, the band, a large pool, and two ponds. LOL.)

Also, I’ve got a partial list of brands for the show:

- Anthropologie
- The Soon Collection
- Shappy Apple
- Shade Clothing
- Layers Clothing
- Stop Staring Clothing

The staff at each of these brands have been more than gracious in donating clothes to the girls.  (Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!) Tomorrow, I will be going shopping with Jessica and Katelyn to pick up more outfits for the show.  After that, we will be doing a small photoshoot with Katelyn and some of the girls. It should be fun!

In other news, Alonso Gonzales Zambrano has been confirmed to provide the entertainment.  We’re still working on the keynote speaker.

Will blog about last night’s session and put some video clips up on Monday. If you are interested in coming or volunteering at the fashion show, just let me know and I’ll ship out an invitation to you and/or put you on the list.

~Rebecca

I know I said I would update on Friday, but things were a little crazy that day (it was a Catholic Underground weekend). Plus, today I have video clips for you!

I think I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous to get dressed before. I kept putting on outfits thinking–Am I modest enough? Okay, now am I fashionable enough? LOl, it was starting to get ridiculous. I told this to the team that night, and apparently they all felt the same way!

The first session was entitled “What Statement Do My Clothes Make?” given by my friends Maggie and Laura (aka Lals). They were both extremely nervous, but in my opinion did an AMAZING job. There were a few points during the night when I looked around the room and it was completely silent, and it wasn’t because the girls weren’t paying attention, it was because they were really listening to what was being said.

The following is a clip of Lals giving an example of the worth of a woman using earrings as a metaphor. I have a pair of pearl earrings that I love dearly because they were a gift from my mother for my debutante ball. I only wear them on special occasions and always make sure I put them back in the box after I’ve worn them. Then again, I’ve got super cheap earrings that I lose all of the time. In this clip, Lals asks the girls that if we take care of material things in such a manner, why don’t we take care of and cover our bodies? (Skip ahead to :12)

The discussion groups were the highlight of the night. All of the girls were very insightful and very honest and open, which actually sort of surprised me given that I had a camera in their faces all night.

In this clip, one of the participants who is a native from Peru talks about the first time she went to a mass in America. It’s funny, but kinda sad:

We had some youth ministers in the audience who gave us some great advice that we will utilize in the coming sessions. One of the surprises of the night that we weren’t quite prepared for was the age range of the girls, 12-18. If you have ever taught kids, you’ll know that is a humongous range, and we want to make sure all of the girls are comfortable and feel like they’re opinions are being heard.

All in all, the session went really well and I’m looking forward to this Thursday. In the next session, Megan will be giving a talk on manhood and womanhood, which I am sure is going to provoke some nice discussion.

In other news, we have almost finalized the list of designers for the fashion show, and I’ll post that as soon as I get the green light. Also, if you are interested in bringing the program to your neck of the woods, just let me know and we will most certainly work with you.

~Rebecca

Decent Exposure’s official stylist Katelyn Rose is The Girl of the Week for Teen Vogue! Click here to read more!

I’ve still have a lot of toying to do with it, but check out the new website for Decent Exposure. The speakers page is up and running, as is the schedule of events!

To my fellow blogger friends, now would be the appropriate time to make a post about the program (if you want to.) I have to head down to Orange County in a bit; I’ll make a post about the first session tomorrow!

Please pray for us!

~Rebecca

It’s a classic and I’m glad to see it making a come back.

The one-shoulder trend continues to rule the summer—-

Rachel Roy

Coca Rocha

Zoe Saldana

Audrina Patridge

Padma Lakshmi

Oh and here’s a random photo of Taylor Lautner…because I can…but you have to admit he’s looking pretty dapper…

To enter the Andrea’s Beau headband contest…

Click here to enter.

BTW, sorry the posts are a bit lacking. I’m crazy busy with work and planning the Decent Exposure fashion show. I’ve been put in charge of contacting the designers and have been fielding emails for a week!

Once I get the comprehensive list of designers I will post it; looks like we will have a nice balance of the more popular modest designers as well as regular companies.

~Rebecca

I “discovered him” when researching bands to bring to Catholic Underground LA this summer. I’m officially a HUGE fan. He can’t make it this summer, but hopefully we’ll book him for next year.

Yay!!!

I’ve been hinting at it for a while now, and am so relieved I can now officially announce Decent Exposure, a modest fashion formation program for teenage girls, set to begin next week.

Together with Jessica Rey of Rey Swimwear, Katelyn Rose of Suddenly Darling, and a number of modest-minded friends, actors, and models from LA, we will be teaching our very first class of girls about Catholic womanhood, chastity, modesty, and of course—fashion! The four-week program will conclude with a fashion show on July 11th. We’re still in the planning phase for that show, but once we firm up the celebrity host and entertainment I will announce the info. At the moment we’re talking to Beverley Mitchell’s people. (Remember Lucy from 7th Heaven?)

The website for DE is being built as I type, but in the meantime we would love for you to join our group on Facebook.

Each week I will blog about the girls’ progress. I will also be directing a reality series based on the show to be released on DVD early next year.

If you are interested in bringing Decent Exposure to your city, let me know and we will certainly work with you! This is our first go-round, but we certainly plan on taking this program to a national level. Any one of us would be available to help you plan or travel to give a talk/keynote speech.

Your prayers for the success of the program would be greatly appreciated.

Just got mine in the mail…and I certainly hope you have subscribed.

If not, the E-version is also available online.

~Rebecca

I really want to thank some internet friends and print media outlets that have acknowledged Modestia and the message I am trying to send to young women over the last few weeks. 

- Eliza Magazine, which named Modestia one of the Best Modest Fashion Blogs

- Celeste Behe and Faith and Family Magazine, for thinking this site is “purely cool”…

- Celeste Behe (again!) and the rest of the staff at the National Catholic Register

- Amanda Beth of the Modest Fashion Bloggers Network

- Amy Welborn via Belief Net and Charlotte Was Both

- The Magdalene Sisters
 
If you are a new reader referred here by one of these sites, welcome! You can friend me on Facebook, email me, and also follow me on Twitter.

Also, please check out the updated blogroll. I have added a number of modest-minded sites!

Win a cute headband by Andrea’s Beau…

I’m extending the deadline until next Friday, the 19th…you still have time to win!

Oh my word, Betsey Johnson designed something modest…

By Martin and Osa. Would be adorable with some boyshorts or other multicolored bottoms added on.

I had to do a double-take with this model—she looks like Camilla Belle’s twin. On sale at Delias.

On sale at Macys!

Karla Colletto one-piece…absolutely gorgeous…

Nautical Emma suit and matching cover up by Stella McCartney.

A fabulous Jean Paul Gaultier design…

This one is by Juicy Couture…

Two tankinis by Badgley Mischka—the second has a removable strap for added support…

Another one-shoulder by Marc Jacobs…

I was at the Thread Show when it happened and was so busy with being unconscious and all I haven’t had the time to mention it…but there’s a couple of things I’d like to say publicly.

I absolutely condemn the murder of George Tiller and I hope the guilty party will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I was angry when I first heard the news, because this murder will have huge consequences for the pro-life movement, whether the killer is connected to the movement or not.

Certain individuals of a certain ideology are convinced that Christians and pro-lifers are secretly glad he’s dead. I’m not glad George Tiller is dead.  I’m certainly not surprised he’s dead, but I’m not glad either. Any person who relishes in this crime needs to reevaluate their respect for the dignity of life. Being pro-life indicates a respect and reverence for ALL human life, not matter how small, how  large, or how “bad.”

And one more thing…I wouldn’t be surprised to see George Tiller in heaven. That’s right, I wouldn’t. Our God is infinitely merciful beyond the human imagination; I don’t believe in putting God’s mercy in a box. 

That’s all folks.

Melanie Lynskey

Kate Winselet

Tatyana Ali

Laila Ali

Michelle Williams

Audrina Patritdge

Kate Bosworth in my favorite look of the bunch…