{"id":24698,"date":"2012-10-11T15:07:56","date_gmt":"2012-10-11T20:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austincnm.com\/?p=24698"},"modified":"2012-10-11T15:26:27","modified_gmt":"2012-10-11T20:26:27","slug":"pure-women-pure-fashion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2012\/10\/pure-women-pure-fashion\/","title":{"rendered":"Pure Women – Pure Fashion!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Photo used with permission from Katie Martin<\/p><\/div>\n

What does PURE mean? Something that is pure<\/strong> is 100% what it is<\/em>. Meaning, it is made of nothing else but it\u2019s own essence \u2013 bottled water is \u201cpure water\u201d when there are no added flavorings, no artificial sweeteners, no contamination \u2013 it\u2019s just pure water. Likewise, being a woman who is pure has nothing to do with that image of a stiff, porcelain, don\u2019t-touch-me image that we are fed sometimes. A woman who is pure is fully herself, 100% her own essence.<\/p>\n

I would like spot-light an amazing youth ministry initiative getting started right now in ATX that speaks the real message of what being pure as a woman is all about! If you have young teenage girls, or if you are one yourself, take a moment to read this article and \u2013 perhaps \u2013 get involved in something new and exciting \u2013 something that helps build-up women \u2013 something that exalts beauty as it exalts the Creator who fashioned it \u2013 something that speaks about the dignity of womanhood in a contentious time \u2013 Pure Fashion!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I interviewed Katie Martin, an amazing woman who has truly inspired me through her dedication in helping to launch the Austin chapter of Pure Fashion<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Rachel: Why did you decide to get involved in Pure Fashion? What makes you the most excited about it?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Katie:<\/strong> Good question, Rachel! There are so many reasons that I am involved in and passionate about Pure Fashion, but the thing that ties everything together is beauty. Beauty\u2014internal and external\u2014has a way of speaking to our souls that is unlike anything else. It is a more direct and intuitive language. It is a language that God uses to reveal Himself to us.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo used with permission from Katie Martin<\/p><\/div>\n

We live in a world where loneliness and a longing to be loved are so very prevalent. We, as women, are vulnerable to an insecurity that can lead us to seek validation and attention in a way that says, \u201cI am an object, not a person.\u201d This search for validation can express itself in the clothing that we wear, the way that we speak and carry ourselves, the emotional boundaries that we may or may not maintain\u2026[etc]. <\/em><\/p>\n

Many of us\u2014young and old\u2014are not strangers to the struggle to see that we are worth more than that; that we are of infinite worth; that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Pure Fashion is all about re-educating and reminding us of this truth! It wants to teach high school girls that their infinite worth is worth protecting; that they are loved truly, deeply, passionately by God. And Pure Fashion shows them that they can bring Christ to others through their commitment to honoring their beauty.<\/em><\/p>\n

[\u2026]<\/p>\n

Rachel: How relevant do you think the program is for young women in our times?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Katie:<\/strong> Now, more than ever before, I see the world sending messages that say, \u201cYou can get the validation you want if you wear these clothes and sell your body.\u201d These messages reinforce the idea that we may never be valued for who we are, only for what we do or what we can give. And, more importantly, these messages fuel a utilitarian culture where both men and women are comfortable using each other. [In this] type of culture, sacrifice for the good of the other is marginalized.<\/em><\/p>\n

What I can say is: certainly we see these utilitarian messages in advertising, but we also see them in an unprecedented way in the clothing available in stores. And this is where I get excited about <\/em>Pure Fashion\u2019s role in changing the culture: <\/em>Pure Fashion gives girls two types of business cards that they can bring with them when they shop. One card praises the retailer for providing clothing that is pretty without being provocative. The other card respectfully requests the designers and buyers to provide more \u201cpretty-not-provocative\u201d options. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>I see these business cards as one of the keys to changing this utilitarian trend. Retailers need to know that there are girls out there who want tasteful, but not provocative clothing. When there is only provocative clothing out there, its really challenging to find something appropriate to wear! How many times have you or I been tempted to alter our standards, simply because we were weary from the search to find something suitable? It is not easy! But <\/em>Pure Fashion wants girls to know that it is worth it!<\/em><\/p>\n

In this way, <\/em>Pure Fashion really is responding to both the needs of the girls\u2014to find something beautiful and appropriate\u2014and the need of the times\u2014to change the utilitarian trend.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rachel: That\u2019s a bold effort Katie! I know I\u2019ve been frustrated before in my own search for clothes that are gorgeous without being too provocative. Give us an inside look! Could you describe one of your favorite Pure Fashion events?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Katie:<\/strong> [\u2026] We have monthly sessions [\u2026] Our first session introduced 40 high school girls to what we are about through talks, activities, modeling tips and a Men\u2019s Panel. Hands down, my favorite part was the Men\u2019s Panel (and no, it wasn\u2019t my favorite part just because they were attractive men\u2014although they are that as well!).<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was my favorite part because they were attractive men who have such an amazing message for these girls!My good friend, Joe Lawlor, who was one of the panel members, suggested that we start the panel discussion with the following meme (see photo to left)<\/em>. The men reminded the girls that even though immodesty gets men\u2019s attention, it\u2019s the kind of attention they don\u2019t want. In fact, men who are worth keeping see modesty and self-respect as infinitely more attractive than extra skin. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/em>The panel was asked questions such as, \u201cWhen you were in high school, what would you have wanted the girlsto know about themselves and the way they dress?\u201d Nicholas Hearn responded beautifully saying that he would want them to know how much they are worth and that they don\u2019t need to seek attention in inappropriate ways. He emphasized that Our Lord loves them with an infinite love and wants them to see themselves as he sees them. Clearly I could go on and on! I hear that we might soon have some video footage of the panel – keep an eye out for it on our FaceBook page (below)<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rachel: How might others get involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Katie:<\/strong>\u00a0By contacting our Austin Coordinator, Mary Johnson: pfaustintx@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

or, Contacting me, Volunteer Coordinator: prolepia@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Website: www.purefashion.com<\/a><\/p>\n

FaceBook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PureFashionAustinTexas<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0One last thought from Katie:<\/strong> I have such a heart for all the young women out there who are struggling, who are working so hard to know themselves and respect themselves. And indeed, I am one of them! My prayer for each of the girls that I work with in Pure Fashion, and all women who may read this today, is that they might see and know their beauty in God\u2019s eyes, that they are, \u201cfearfully, wonderfully made\u201d (PS 139). Thanks so much! May Our Lady guide and protect all of you!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Thanks to Katie and all the women who make this happen and who participate! Your efforts will be in our prayers \u2013 and I hope our readers will take a moment to check out this beautiful ministry \u2013 we are all about of this culture, and as such we have a say in it! Let us strive to be all that our Father designed for us \u2013 women of purity and of dignity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What does PURE mean? Something that is pure is 100% what it is. Meaning, it is made of nothing else but it\u2019s own essence \u2013 bottled water is \u201cpure water\u201d when there are no added flavorings, no artificial sweeteners, no contamination \u2013 it\u2019s just pure water. Likewise, being a woman who is pure has nothing… [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[1091,1092,1090,778,1093,993,192,155],"class_list":{"0":"post-24698","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-blog","7":"tag-body-image","8":"tag-dignity-of-women","9":"tag-fashion","10":"tag-modesty","11":"tag-pure-fashion","12":"tag-purity","13":"tag-women","14":"tag-youth-ministry","15":"entry","16":"has-post-thumbnail"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":126292,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/if-youre-happy-and-you-know-it-its-a-sin-catholic-youth-dating-and-purity\/","url_meta":{"origin":24698,"position":0},"title":"“If You’re Happy and You Know It, It’s a Sin”- Catholic Youth Dating and Purity","author":"Matthew Hartwick","date":"July 2, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cIf you\u2019re happy and you know it, it\u2019s a sin\u201d was a statement my former coworker made as to how he thought the Catholic Church viewed sexuality and dating. \u00a0He made that statement because I had told them I was waiting for marriage and wanted to be chaste. Unfortunately, this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-xaf1\/v\/t1.0-9\/11073353_844202338968819_7183954090317258280_n.jpg?oh=d84469c496911732e4725b2a9bdb0954&oe=561D9B57","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":142788,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/08\/back-to-busy-inspiration-for-fall-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":24698,"position":1},"title":"Back to Busy – Inspiration for Fall 2015","author":"Rachel","date":"August 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Fall is in the air! Well not actually in the air weather-wise - I wish! 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According to Lewis there are four loves; Storge, Philia, Eros and Agape.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Column"","block_context":{"text":"Column","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/column\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"cs lewis on love","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/cs-lewis-on-love.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":78449,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/01\/prayer-without-praying\/","url_meta":{"origin":24698,"position":3},"title":"Prayer without “Praying”","author":"Shawn Rain Chapman","date":"January 13, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cToday, the vegetables would like to be chopped By someone who is singing God\u2019s Name.\u201d ~ Hafiz \u00a0 A few mornings ago, sitting at the table with my coffee, looking out over the meadow, I noticed with a smile, the moon in the brightening sky. 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