For Detroit Pure Fashion, revealing clothes increase attention but reduce respect.
They’d rather have respect for themselves as well as from others, said members of the club.
“It’s good to be modest, to be true to yourself,” said Brittany Ricca of Clarkston. “You can still be who you are without wearing revealing clothes.”
“People like who you are, not how much you’re revealing,” said Diana Chokr of Brandon Township.
The group of 22 girls 14-18 years old from all over Oakland County meet weekly at Oakhurst neighborhood in Independence Township.
They are planning a fashion show finale to this year’s program, 2 p.m., Sunday, May 3, at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester.
“It will be a great day,” said Stacy Clothier of Independence Township, chairperson. “We are featuring the Salvation Army Thrift Stores as our main clothing sponsor to encourage recycling, the value of money, and to show you can still get fantastic clothes without spending a lot of money in this economy.”
“I’m really excited about it. We’ve been preparing for it all year,” said Sarah Luttinan of Bloomfield Hills.
Luttinan joined the club this year.
“I heard about Pure Fashion and thought it was the coolest thing ever and wanted to be involved,” she said.
“It help us become leaders in society and help others,” said Lainy Shefferly of Clarkston, who joined with her sister, Mary Shefferly.
“We help kids,” Mary said. “We go to Detroit and Pontiac and set up fun days for them.”
The monthly, Saturday meetings at Oakhurst Country Club include sessions about public speaking, role modeling, self respect, confidence, and other topics, Clothier said.
“Then we do something fun, with make up, clothing trends,” she said. “We do service-learning projects, check out local stores for modest, tasteful clothing. We teach them to take care of themselves and look good doing it.”
“We learn about fashion and how to find the right clothes,” Chokr said
“How to be modest,” Ricca said
“And cute at the same time,” Chokr said.
“We’re a bunch of different girls but we have the same ideals and beliefs,” Ricca said.
Pure Fashion is a faith-based, international program based in Georgia and established in 1999.
“It’s just a great program ? the girls make lifelong friends. it really affects their lives,” Clothier said. “It’s a good thing to do. It puts virtue into fashion.”
The fashion show begins at 2 p.m. with lunch and entertainment. Club members model Spring fashions provided by sponsors Detroit area Salvation Army Thrift Stores and Donation Centers, Jockey Person-to-Person, and Shabby Apple of Utah. Terri King Salon and Day Spa provide hair and make-up.
For more information, check www.purefashion.com.