Full of cool videos about modesty, body image, and what real love is, the site encourages us ladies not to pay attention to the media’s demand that we act like sexy Barbie Dolls. The site is very well made, and features some talks by one of my favorite speakers Jason Evert. I highly suggest you pop over for a visit.
Allow me to make a big, huge, public curtsy to the men that put together this site!
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.
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.
Camilla Belle has signed on to be the new spokesperson for H.E.L.P, a non-profit organization established in Malawi, Africa that is dedicated to making a difference by giving children hope, education, love, protection and a chance to make their aspirations and dreams become a reality.
Camilla and H.E.L.P. have partnered with the Lori Leavitt Collection to create the re-launch of Leavitt’s Panthera Collection, a jewelry collection dedicated to H.E.L.P.’s “What Love Means” campaign that is giving 100% of its profits back to the children of Malawi. The collection includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, cufflinks and key chains with a 14kt gold lion in each piece, as a reference to the 1860s piece of jewelry that inspired the line. Prices begin at $40 for Vintage African bracelets and then run from $98- $2050. Learn more about H.E.L.P and shop the collection at helpmalawichildren.org.
Being that my university is of the Jesuit variety, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on service to others. Last fall I started helping out with a confirmation class, and a number of my friends also involved in religious education are now applying to a Catholic-based program called PLACE Corps.
PLACE Corps stands for Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education.
It is based on my campus, but applications are accepted from around the country. The program involves two years of teaching in an LA Catholic school while earning a teaching credential and a debt-free master’s degree. Teachers live in community together for support and spiritual growth. I have one friend that I am praying gets into this program as it has changed a number of people’s lives.
If this sounds like something you may be interested in or know someone else who may want to learn more about this organization, check out the PLACE website here.
In other news, Keke Palmer visited the Scholastic Store in New York two days ago to read to some of her younger fans. Yay for Keke, yay for literacy.
I try to research as many apparel resources for this site as I can.
Be advised that while most of the links in my "Modest Apparel" category are from designers who specifically design modest apparel, some of the websites include only a select amount of modest choices. Modest dress is dependent on styling. If it isn't modest, make it modest.
One asterisk (*) next to a link means it is a plus size site. Two asterisks (**) indicate that the site sells both plus size and average size apparel.
