Cult starts online clothing sales

Independent:

They call it the prairie look: big hair, long dresses, and any colour you like, so long as it's pastel. Now the women of a Texas polygamist sect are cashing in on their recent infamy by launching a children's fashion label. The austere clothes, first showcased when inhabitants of the Yearning for Zion ranch flounced up Eldorado's courtroom steps in an attempt to regain custody of 463 of their children, yesterday became available to the public through the organisation's online shop.

Bestsellers in the range, which was inspired by America's 19th-century pioneers, are expected to include a "baby dress with bloomers," denim dungarees, and a modest long-sleeved dress for teenage girls. All are being hand-stitched to traditional standards in a factory set up by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).

Although some outfits are destined for the fancy-dress market, the church's business model depends on anxious parents buying entire collections to prevent their children from wearing revealing modern clothes. Each of the 35 garments in the range is available in eight colours: pink, lilac, yellow, blue, peach, green, lavender and "aqua".

"This site is dedicated to provide children with clothing that meets FLDS standards for modesty and neatness," reads the sales pitch at www.fldsdress.com. "Our commitment is to offer quality, handmade, modest, affordable clothing. Each piece is made with joy and care."

Prices range from $6 (£3) for a set of child's long-johns to $60 for a "teen princess dress" and nearly $80 for the showpiece garment: the "teen jacket dress"....

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I thought the clothes were more of a curiosity than a trend. Perhaps they will appeal to other members of the cult but I don't think Brittany Spears are Paris Hilton will be modeling for them.

The NY Times says there has been some interest in the fashion line. Who knew?