This was what I was part of last Thursday.
We held our first ArtWalk event in eclectic downtown LA last Thursday. Not only did we have the opportunity to be a part of the Los Angeles’ monthly ArtWalk, we were a part of Fashion Night Out worldwide. At REFASHION, fashion and art met conscious consumerism. No, what audiences saw more than met their eye.
Think they’re just mannequins already posed in front of windows? Ask the passerbys standing in front of our venue trying to figure out if the models were real or not. Others attempted to make our models give away a hint of a smile by dancing (and singing) at them. I don’t know how they can pull stone-cold expressions in style.
Intrigued?
After getting past the velvet ropes…
DJ Co.Fee was heard spinning beats for the curious and fascinated crowd. To the left, Aveda was giving away free makeovers. Scan further for a displayed array of artwork by local artists.
TOMS shoes designed by diverse artists were auctioned off at the event.
Works from artists such as Tony Hong, Clairfoster Browne, Joby Cummings, David Brady, Rene Morales, and Andrew Fletcher just to name a few. Learn more about the artists and their inspirations here.
As I’ve mentioned, there was more than meets the eye. Instead of just displays of artworks, one artist was actually in the process of painting his creation.
He was drawing waves upon waves to the point where his motions were fluid — stroking his paintbrush on the canvas, he painted his shirt before switching hands to continuously paint.
On the main floor, featured vendors were selling their products. There was much excitement and development on the vendors’ side.
LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) were selling their apparel. They are planning The Reliance Tour.
“The Reliance Tour will provide an opportunity for people to get involved and support the work being done on the ground to help rescue and protect refugees.”
Krochet Kids told us that they are opening a new fall line. They are also expanding to work with women not just in Uganda, but their focus will be reaching out to women in Peru.
The International Princess Project’s (IPP), new Executive Director, Julie Wood talked enthusiastically about Punjammies’ success.
“Until now, we have more demand than supply, but now we have an increase in production,”
she said in regards to the increasing number of women IPP has rescued from sex slavery in India. To learn more about what IPP does and how Punjammies come into play, click here.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for the services and goods offered at the event.
For those that missed out on the ArtWalk and even for those that came out to REFASHION: Stayed tuned for our fashion show coming this November 2011!
-Edith
Photos courtesy of Hannah Ghim (hannah@freedomandfashion.com)
Tickets to Freedom and Fashion’s 3rd Annual Fashion Show are now on sale! Join us on December 17, 2011 for some holiday gift shopping at the Fair Trade Show immediately following the Runway Show at the famous Cooper Design Space. There are limited amounts of seating, so hurry and buy your tickets now for the event of 2011!
Sign up for the FnF Newsletter for promo discount codes on tickets!
FnF 2011 Fall internship applications are up!! If you’re interested, please bring a resume and the completed application to the interviews! Click on the image to go to our website.
Join as an INTERN!
A Freedom and Fashion follower brought this article to our attention. Anastasija Bogatirjova, a contestant on Britain’s Next Top Model, was almost trafficked by a sex trafficking gang that posed as scouts for an international modeling agency. The “scouts” promised the that the models would be sent to Milan, but in reality, many were sent to Russia to become prostitutes.
[Anastasija] was flattered and keen - but eventually turned him down after failing to secure the correct papers to make the move.
A few years later, she was horrified when police informed her the man had been found to be the ringleader of a gang of human traffickers. Anastasija, 19, who now lives in Reading, Berkshire, was singled out by the phony scout at a beach party.
His elaborate scam involved setting up fake fashion events and photoshoots to convince hopeful models that his operation was reputable.
Read more at The Daily Mail UK.
(Photo: The Daily Mail UK)
-Gio
July 6th, 2011 — Today, Justin Shinn embarks on a radical 2,000 mile cycling campaign to raise $15,000 and to increase awareness of the injustices of human trafficking and sex slavery. He begins his cycling adventure in Vancouver, B.C. and will make his way solo along the west coast all the way down to the Mexican border — a journey that could take up to 25-30 days. Here, we chat with Justin about his story, his Cause Campaign to benefit One Day’s Wages Human Trafficking Fund and how we can move beyond conversations of justice and take action.
Why have you chosen to fight for this cause?
When I was visiting Seoul to see my parents, I had the opportunity to go to Thailand where it’s hit by sex tourism. It’s something that you can’t get out of your mind. What I saw… It was very disgusting. That was 3-4 years ago. This year my friend prompted me to do this cause by suggesting that I raise money for something. I contacted One Day’s Wages with my campaign idea and they said that they were looking to start a campaign for their Human Trafficking Fund. Everything kind of just worked out.
Where did the idea for this 2,000 mile campaign come from?
To be honest, I don’t know. I picked up cycling 5 years ago when I lived in Oregon. I’m a runner, but as far as cycling, I don’t know what prompted it, although I’ve heard of people doing it. It also helps that I have contacts in LA, Oregon and Washington, which is why I chose to bike along the west coast. People can drive or ride a motorcycle, but it takes [something like] cycling to get attention to promote something you care about.
Tell us three must-have items that you’re packing in your bag.
1) Phone — for blog, Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, GPS. Everything is on my phone; it’s a small device but I can do so much with it. 2) Extra set of tubes for my tires, just in case I need them. 3) Carbohydrate Gels for energy. I have to be careful about not zoning out.
How can people move beyond conversations of justice to taking steps of action?
For those of us who are taking action, not only do we have to create more opportunities for the unexposed, but we must inspire people to think beyond themselves. We live in a self-absorbed culture that needs to be more exposed to the unjust realities of this world. So much so, we don’t even know what’s actually going on in the deepest corners of our own cities. Also, taking action for a cause doesn’t necessarily mean to commit oneself physically, but in any way possible while utilizing one’s talents and gifts. Bottom line, people must be inspired to take a stand and understand that they can actually make a difference.
Is it too late to donate?
It’s open — there’s no real deadline. People can contribute by donating on the One Day’s Wages website or on my personal page I set up.
Contribute to One Day’s Wages Human Trafficking Fund here:
http://www.onedayswages.org/donate/org/justin-biking-cause
Stay updated by following Justin’s blog:
http://justinjshinn.wordpress.com/
One Day’s Wages (ODW) is a new grassroots movement that seeks to alleviate extreme global poverty. Their vision is to inspire people around the world to simply donate one day’s wages and to renew that pledge monthly, quarterly or yearly - or to start campaigns with a cause by donating their birthday, one day of work, or numerous other ideas - to the cause of alleviating extreme global poverty. Find out more information at www.onedayswages.org.
-Clara Hutzler
Freedom and Fashion creates Freedom planes for CNN’s Freedom Project!
My best friend. My brother. He is a freedom fighter.
For a couple months, I had been trying to get Bronson to join a unique team of freedom fighters. We call ourselves, Freedom and Fashion (FNF). We don’t use guns to fight for freedom. We use fashion, art, and social media. Two months ago he made a choice, and now I get to work with my best friend! He currently works as the spokesperson for FnF, a non-profit organization that uses its resources to fight human and sex trafficking. I can’t help but feel a sense of gratification to see him in the office with me, fighting for a great cause.
When asked about why he joined, he had this to say:
After hearing the horror stories of rape and slavery from a good friend of mine, Giovanny, I could no longer be content as a bystander. I had to act! Freedom and Fashion offered a way to do something about this tragedy, while keeping God firmly at its center
Human and sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Men, women, and children are exploited. Often, they are tricked, drugged, or kidnapped. There are about 27 million slaves today, more than any amount in history. If we’re supposed to be a society progressing for good, then we haven’t made much progress.
That’s when people like Bronson, you, and me come in. When we say that enough is enough and act, a difference is being made, even when all we do is getting people aware. You see, to be aware of something means that you possess a knowledge of something. You are responsible for it; you can no longer deny that you didn’t know. Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” We’ve got to do something, anything to end slavery!
So why not join the team? Be a part of the Freedom and Fashion team.
Look at my best friend, Bronson, had at work!
Just another day thinking of different ways to revamp our office. Chris, Bronson, and Rebcca made sure all the cork boards were painted. That’s TEAM WORK!
-Gio
Alison is a makeup artist. Instead of painting faces, she’s painting walls.Somehow our Freedom and Fashion team members, Alison, Rebecca, and Chris make even painting a glamorous job!
Here is another sneak peek from one of our photoshoots. This features Roma boots.
In May we were busy with photoshoots for the Freedom and Fashion: Year 3 Magazine. Enjoy this sneak peak from one of our shoots!
Freedom and Fashion’s Clara and Bronson moderated the discussion.
Last week, Freedom and Fashion hosted the Human Trafficking Forum at UCSD. Over 70 people were in attendance to see and hear from our panel of experts and trafficking survivors. The night started out with a screening of the short film, “Fields of Mudan,” about child sex trafficking in Asia. It set up the discussion about the loss of innocence, the feeling of helplessness that the trafficked often feel, and what we, as free people, need to do to end slavery.
Freedom and Fashion’s own, Clara and Bronson, moderated the discussion. They traded off questions with the speakers, asking them questions about their organizations, what’s being done about trafficking today, and what one can do to help end trafficking.
One speaker, Sharon Ngai, formed Justice Speaks as a way to promote change and to end trafficking. Justice Speaks helps prostitutes reclaim their lives in the Los Angeles-San Gabriel Valley, as well as working with organizations in Thailand to end sex trafficking there. Ngai has even spoken at the UN regarding sex trafficking and continues to be a voice against pornography, stating how porn destroys and devastates the lives of women, even to the point where it encourages sex slaves. (Click to read more)
Freedom and Fashion will present a human trafficking forum at UCSD tonight. It’s free and you will hear from speakers as well as survivors. It’s at the Sun God lounge from 7pm to 9pm.
