PURELY Cool

May/June 2009 Issue | Posted by Celeste Behe in Everyday Apostles

By Celeste Behe

Rebecca Christian

Modest and Fab

Rebecca Christian, Modestia.StBlogs.com

“There is a stunning beauty in the simplicity of a Franciscan sister’s habit,” says Rebecca Christian. “But we are not all women religious, are we?”

It’s for those of us who do not wear the veil that 20-year-old Rebecca Christian, a student at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif., created her Modestia blog.

A women’s resource for fashion, Catholic thought, and expressions of “feminine genius,” the blog carries the maxim, “You can be modest and fab, too.”

Modestia proves its point with photo posts of celebrities in clothing that’s dazzling, yet decent. Rebecca believes that the red-carpet look can be attained by any modest-minded woman, even one on a limited budget. Modest apparel can be purchased from online specialty stores, but most retailers also carry modestly cut clothes at reasonable prices. And many pieces that are not inherently modest, says Rebecca, can be “made modest” with creative layering.

“Modesty is dependent on styling and behavior,” Rebecca says. “You don’t have to wear an ankle-length skirt to be modest or even ‘feminine.’”

Modestia links to several dozen stores selling apparel with ample amounts of both fab and fabric. Clearly, the blog’s focus is on modesty, but it also covers topics that fall outside the realm of fashion.

“In my classes I found myself constantly defending my values and my faith,” Rebecca explains. “One morning, I literally woke up and decided to start a blog in which I could discuss fashion, social justice issues, and Catholic values and beliefs. I like to say that Modestia was born out of a random moment in the Holy Spirit!”

The blog itself, however, is anything but random. Posts on modesty are divided neatly into topics such as Mommy Modestia, Role Models, and Look of the Week. Out and About features ensembles that run a rich gamut from basic to glam, with the majority of the outfits revealing little more than the wearer’s personality.

What are Rebecca’s rules for determining whether an article of clothing is modest?

“Taste in apparel is influenced by ethnic culture and background,” she observes, “so it’s hard to apply legalistic standards. I believe that, if a woman is spiritually mature and seeking God’s will, she can figure it out for herself. But for teen girls who are still learning how to shop and style themselves, Pure Fashion’s guidelines (PureFashion.com/modesty) are great.” 

“Most young women recognize the link between the way they dress, the way they view themselves, and the way others will find them,” she says. “If our society is to rediscover modesty, then that’s the message that really needs to be sent home.”

Aaron Hostetter, aka ‘Zealous’

‘It Starts With Men’

Aaron Hostetter, aka ‘Zealous,’ PhatMass.com/hiphop

“I’m the guy,” declared Aaron Hostet­ ter, “to give you a mouthful on modesty.” Since taking up a microphone as hip-hop artist Zealous in 2004, Aaron has been setting youthful audiences on fire with his honest vocals and lyrics promoting modesty and chastity.

“A profession of faith accompanied by passion and witness can be powerful,” he says. “Teens want to be challenged, and they want to know that they are caught up in something greater than themselves.”

Aaron’s personal call to “something greater” came while he was in high school.

“I starting rapping in ninth grade, and did a lot of secular stuff” like making tapes with friends, says Aaron. “I got to the point where, although I was stepping out as a leader in my youth group and was firm about chastity, I was still doing the secular rap. After my junior year of high school, I was caught up by Matthew 6:24, which says that ‘no servant can serve two masters.’ So I surrendered my music to the Lord and he has run wild with it since.”

A catechetics major at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, Aaron plans to enter the field of youth ministry and has taken to heart Pope John Paul II’s exhortation for catechists to use “new means of transmitting the message.”

“There is no doubt about it: Hip-hop is a dominating force in our culture,” he says. “We have to meet young people where they are.”

What if “where they are” is in a society that encourages promiscuity, and espouses a skewed view of masculinity and femininity? Would a return to the virtue of modesty make a difference?

“Yes, and it has to start with us men! We have to stand up and fight for the dignity of women, who have been trained to settle for less than they deserve. It’s up to men to show women that they don’t need to dress immodestly to receive the attention and love that they long for. For their part, women can be powerful witnesses in today’s society simply by setting themselves apart from the norm.”

Aaron put his feelings into a song called “Future Wife” (from the CD “Battle For Souls,” available on iTunes), which was intended as a “private kind of engagement gift” for the girl he would one day marry. But God had other plans, as girls everywhere are responding to the message. It’s a message that both men and women need to hear.

Contact Aaron at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Allison Boyle

Hearts, Minds, and Clothes

Allison Boyle, Pure Fashion, PureFashion.com

What’s the one must-have accessory that spans four seasons, fits all sizes, and will enhance any outfit?

“It’s virtue,” Allison Boyle says, “and it never goes out of style!”

And Allison should know. The 17-year-old is a model for Pure Fashion, a “faith-based program that encourages teen girls to live, act, and dress as children of God.”

“Through the Pure Fashion program, I’ve learned public speaking, formal manners, and the basics of modeling,” Allison explains. “But more importantly, the program covers things on a spiritual level, too. For example, runway training teaches us how to carry ourselves in a way that reflects our dignity as young women.”

Cultivating that sense of dignity is just one small part of the Pure Fashion program, which aims to “change the world by changing our hearts, our minds, and our clothes.” It is affiliated with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ, and is for girls ages 14 to 18.

“The program made me realize that purity is for the heart as well as for the body,” says Allison. “And it has helped in a practical way with its guidelines for modest dress.”

“Modest does not have to mean frumpy,” Allison claims. “I can follow trends in fashion and be cute and current without losing any points on style.”

Once she completed Pure Fashion’s eight-month program, Allison decided to give her own mother a fashion makeover.

“She just didn’t have any fashion sense,” says Allison with a laugh. “But since Pure Fashion came along, she has cleaned up quite a bit.”

“When I was growing up, my family’s standards for modest clothing were already pretty high,” she says. “But I really couldn’t claim those standards as my own before I came into Pure Fashion.”

How do Allison’s peers respond to her Pure Fashion lifestyle? “I don’t try to convince them of its truth with words; they have to see it in action,” she says. “So I always take care with my appearance, and keep up with trends in fashion.”

As a “Super Model,” Allison is responsible for teaching the Pure Fashion lifestyle to new models. But there are opportunities to share the faith, as well.

“Most of the girls on my team have not been Catholic,” Allison says. “I’ve been able to explain to them the mystery of the Mass and correct many of their misunderstandings of our faith.”E

For Allison, modesty and purity — both inside and out — are always in fashion.

Celeste Behe writes from

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Reach teens with the faith: OurFaithInAction.org ^• Homework. Tell us about an Everyday Apostle. Contact info., page 6.