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Photographed by Mark Iantosca.

Name: Lenore Cohen

Age: 25

Job: Painter and Graphic Designer



What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to style yourself while still adhering to your religious beliefs?

"My personal modesty standards are usually not in sync with fashion, specifically for formalwear. This area has always presented the greatest style challenge. How do you keep things modest without ruining a beautifully made dress? Evening and formal outfits for young women are traditionally quite revealing. For everyday outfits, I find it's not really a challenge. If trends like an open back or low-cut clothing come into style one year, I just sit those out."



How do you balance the two?

"Almost all of my cocktail dresses have been 'doctored' in some way. I've had to get pretty creative over the years to make a style work for me; adding sleeves or extra length and coverage around the neckline without ruining the integrity of a dress's design isn't always easy. I visit seamstresses and fabric shops quite often. Sometimes, if the price of a dress is reasonable, I'll buy two and use the second just for the matching fabric."



Everyone has different definitions of and assumptions about modesty. How would you describe it?

"I think modesty is the sum of a few parts. It's partly how you dress, but it's also how you act. I think it means dressing appropriately for a situation while not drawing undue attention to oneself or specifically one's body. My personal list of 'nos' would include overly tight outfits; low-cut or low-back tops; spaghetti straps or strapless shirts; and skirts and shorts that don't hit at least mid-thigh. When I'm on the fence about something, I think, Would I be comfortable wearing this in front of anyone? When you step out in something, you're essentially displaying yourself to the world. Are you comfortable with the impression you're giving off through your clothing?"



How do you see your generation of observant Jews changing?

"The Jewish world is so vast and varied, with so many moving parts. I personally haven't changed my attitude towards this much since I was raised. As for my peers, some have started dressing more restrictively, and some less. I look at this as a person's choice, not necessarily a religiously mandated one."



Who is your fashion icon?

"My grandmother, who I'm named after. Her look is well put-together, and she has a good eye when it comes to fashion. Her taste is sophisticated, trendy, and luxurious. I've been known to shop her closet, because her clothes always turn heads."