Fashion line offers creative Christian approach (2010)

Abbie Short and Jordan Sparks combined their two of a kind passions to create one-of-a-kind products.

“When someone buys, say, a bag, from us, they aren’t getting a bag that was made in an assembly line with 12,000 others identical to it. Instead, they are getting a bag that has received a lot of thought and time, has been sewn on a simple sewing machine by our own hands, and there will never be another bag in the world like it,” Short said.

Short, of Norris City, and Sparks, of Eldorado and 2010 SIUC alumna, will open the doors Monday to LilyWhite, a personalized fashion line inspired by their Christian faith, at 211 West Main St. in Carbondale. LilyWhite existed as an online store for the past four years while Sparks and Short attended SIUC.

“Honestly, it has always been our dream and goal to have a store — a real, customers coming in, trying on clothes, getting to meet our clients type of store,” Sparks said.

Short said the clothing company developed from the two women’s passion for Jesus and crafts. Their products are made from thrift store fabrics, grandma dresses, old jeans and other found materials.

Dena Peavyhouse, of Harrisburg, said she was impressed with the business when she ordered a purse for her sister-in-law and requested that something about being a light in the darkness be put on it. She said her favorite aspect of the business is its Christian backing.

“It’s great to see them showing the world that true Christian women are strong, creative and they glorify God with the gifts he has given them,” Peavyhouse said.

The clothing and accessory line has received encouragement from people from all different types of backgrounds, Short said. She said its regular customers range anywhere from 12-year-old girls to 30-year-old hippies with dreadlocks.

Kaleb Cook, a junior from Eldorado studying cinema and photography and model for LilyWhite, said it’s not just a clothing company; LilyWhite is a place where customers can go and be loved the way Christians are supposed to love.

“It’s a company geared toward the love of every individual, and they want to help those who come to them,” Cook said.

Establishing the business was not met without trial and hardship, she said.

“Most of our obstacles have included time management. For the past four years we have both been attending college. At times it was hard to juggle running a business and also trying to get school work done, and attempting to have any social life on top of that,” Sparks said.

Sparks said she and Short hope to expand the business to other types of clothing that appeal to a wider variety of clientele.

“We are currently developing a formal wear line. I got married over the summer and made my dress and the bridesmaid dresses, and loved doing it. So we would like to build out our weddings and formal wear line,” Sparks said.

Short and Sparks said they look forward meeting new people and spreading their message of love with clothing and accessories to as many people as possible.

“We’re happy just getting to have a meaningful conversation with a customer, making a dress that a gal feels really cute in, or encouraging someone to pursue a dream,” Short said.

Kayla Kearns can be reached at kkearns@dailygyptian.com or 536-3311 ext. 273.