Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PITTSBURGH — When Emily Punjack was a teenager, she loved poring over Seventeen Magazine, but she didn’t love the types of clothing it displayed.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Punjack knew the crop tops and miniskirts didn’t adhere to her personal standards, and she hoped for years that someone would come out with a magazine that featured only modest clothing.
When that didn’t happen, she took the task upon herself.
Now, as a Brigham Young University graduate who studied editing, Punjack is the editor-in-chief of Celestial Shine Magazine, an exclusively modest fashion magazine that includes articles about dating, fashion and living as a teenager in the LDS Church.
“I feel like this is something the girls can relate to, and it has the fun part of fashion and dating and boys and beauty, but it also brings in a spiritual part and shows how the gospel is interesting and applicable to their lives,” Punjack said. “I think that’s why it’s needed so much.”
Celestial Shine made its online debut 12 months ago, and there have been three digital issues so far.
Punjack has decided to make it a monthly magazine with hopes of printing the publication. She created a *GoFundMe account and is trying to raise $10,000 in the next two weeks for printing costs.
I think that we look at youths and we really want them to be righteous and good and doing what's right all the time, but there's so many magazines out there that don't have good things in them.
–Emily Punjack
As a youth-oriented magazine, Celestial Shine features articles written by LDS youths and photos of teens wearing modest clothing.
“We’ve had things on how to cope with bullying, there’s one about how to resist peer pressure, then I’ve had some articles from seminary teachers about the living water and the Atonement,” Punjack said. “We try to do real-life issues the girls are dealing with.”
Celestial Shine is geared toward youths who love fashion, beauty and the media, yet who strive to live in the world but not of the world, Punjack said.
“I think that we look at youths and we really want them to be righteous and good and doing what’s right all the time, but there’s so many magazines out there that don’t have good things in them,” Punjack said. “People have told me they’re grateful they don’t have to have a magazine where they worry about the stuff that's in it.”
The coming issue will feature former “American Idol” singer Carmen Rasmusen Herbert, who wrote about her experience as a Latter-day Saint in Hollywood.
To obtain a free digital copy of a Celestial Shine issue, visit the website and click “request free issue” located at the right-hand column of the Web page.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
