Modest Formal Gown wins with teenagers and moms

By Sharon HaddockPhoto - A cream-colored gown featured in Modest By Design's fashion show at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point. (Keith Johnson, Deseret Morning News) Modest By Design puts on a fashion show at Thanksgiving Point featuring a wide array of modest gowns for proms and other formal events. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret Morning News)LEHI — The audience gathered in the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point a few weeks back seemed to be of one mind.They like the fashions that highlight the beauty of the model without exposing a lot of skin. They applaud the dresses that sparkle and swoosh, the gowns that say "look at me" because of the ornamentation and the design, the prom formals that sell with the teenagers as well as dad and mom. And it's not by accident, "We welcome the (LDS) young women's groups," said Eddie Gist, who created and operates Modest by Design with his wife, Heather, and her parents, Jeff and Elaine Ferguson. Gist has been sewing since the seventh grade and graduated from high school as a champion wrestler with a tailoring certificate. After he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he and his wife decided to create modest, beautiful clothing that women could wear in style. The clothes modeled in the Lehi shows included satin and chiffon gowns in coral, mint green, black, creme, red, pink, blue and yellow. Some tied. Others had a wrap of fabric draped dramatically across the skirt. Many sparkled with rhinestones and sequins. Rows of tiny buttons marched up the back. Contrasting piping provided contrast and interest. Scarf-tip hemlines dressed up the ordinary. In addition to modest beaded-top prom gown options, models showed off full-skirted wedding and slim-fitting bridesmaid dresses, flower girl choices with tufted skirts and Sunday go-to-church frocks. The teenage winner of the annual design contest was honored and her dress shown to the audience. Kelsey Malone from Hooper, Utah, designed her dream prom dress in black and white with a medallion-trimmed bodice and skirt and sewn-in edging.Those interested in competing in the annual design contest can find a form as well as the fashions on the Modest by Design Web site: www.modestbydesign.com.

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