For those who couldn’t make it to the Stop Traffic Fashion Show last Friday, here’s a recap!
First things first, the Stop Traffic show was a benefit for the Law Students for Reproductive Justice and Kamisetas, a women’s collective in Medellin, Colombia, in support of labor and fair trade. All proceeds from ticket sales and the auction went to this worthy and important cause. From the program:
Human Trafficking is modern day SLAVERY.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), approximately 12.3 million adults and children are victims of forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution around the world. The UN reports there is an estimated US$ 31.6 billion in global annual profits made from the exploitation of forced labor. It should be noted that due to the secrecy of the crime, it is hard to obtain precise data on the issue.
In the U.S., the industries where forced labor and trafficking are most prevalent include agriculture, domestic service, factory work, hotel work, restaurant work, the sex industry, and sweat shops. However, what little protections are available to sex trafficking victims, are virtually non-existent to victims trafficked for labor purposes. It is important to recognize that the exploitation, physical danger, poverty, racism, sexism, and trafficking endemic to the sex industry similarly occur to victims in all industries. There are no practical distinctions between labor and sex trafficking, and laws should be revised recognizing this. All individuals who exploit others through trafficking must be equally punished. All victims should have access to immunity and the resources for rehabilitation it provides.
To learn about human trafficking in the fashion industry, go to: www.slaverymap.org or the UN global initiative to fight human trafficking: www.ungift.org.
Much thanks to Tara Prairie for organizing and for having me as a part of it! Also thanks to the Brooklyn YWCA for hosting, and the models and other designers involved. Here are a few photos of models in AuH2O Designs before the show:

Leanne Linsky

Leanne Linsky

Samantha Gurewitz

Adri Lima

Rosie Cohen

Kiko DeLorenzo

AuH2O intern Lauren Manning

Elena Cohen

Serena Suni Ramirez

Rosie Cohen

Samantha Gurewitz

Rachel Kay

Kiko DeLorenzo
A few of these items are still available at the shop - swing by 84 E. 7th St!
The other designers had beautiful stuff that definitely made a statement:

Kiko DeLorenzo and Nellie, of Nelesc Designs

Samantha Gurewitz wearing an Anthony Posada hand-painted top

Samantha Gurewitz in chromat

Samantha Gurewitz and Leanne Linsky in Moira Meltzer-Cohen’s hand-knit designs
Some shots of the runway! Note the Stop Traffic banner:





Collection walk at the end
Thanks again to everyone involved!