FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Beauty for Freedom, BK Style Foundation and Council for Fashion and Social Change
Launch Denim Day NYC Campaign
Raising Awareness for the Battle to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
BK Style “Denim Walk” – across The Brooklyn Bridge
April 26 – 9am gathering at Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Denim Walk at 9:45am across the BK Bridge
Denim Day Rally/Press Conference April 26, 2017 (11AM AT FOLEY SQUARE)
JOIN US TO TAKE A STAND AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VIOLENCE!
BK Style Foundation, anti-trafficking organization Beauty for Freedom, Council for Fashion and Social Change and visual artists/designers Fabiola Jean-Louis, Katya Akuma, Chantel Valentene, Monica Watkins, Jerry Chu and Butch Diva (Tiffany Rhodes) have partnered with City-As School in creating a Denim Day NYC Video and Photographic Campaign raising awareness for the survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
Launching April 2017 and Co-Directed by Monica Watkins and Candice Fortin in collaboration with Director of Photography Todd Sines and fashion photographer Andries Boekelman, the campaign’s mission is to engage New Yorkers in the fight to end sexual and domestic violence and to raise funds and awareness for Denim Day NYC’s survivor advocacy programming. The second installment of the video and photo series created by CTM Sisters Productions in partnership with Beauty for Freedom, BK Style Foundation and Council for Fashion and Social Change, features the collaborative designs of Fabiola Jean-Louis, Katya Akuma, Chantel Valentene, Monica Watkins, Jerry Chu and Butch Diva along with design students Alex Lora, Anna Schwab and Hazel Cetemen of City-As School. Musical scoring is an original musical composition by composer Todd Sines featuring voices of several brave survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and advocates tackling issues of victimization. Behind the Scenes footage was shot and edited by artist Dasha Dare. Musical scoring for the BTS video is by City-As High School student Ben Joseph featuring violinist Adrianna Mateo and violist Bridget Fitzgerald. Supermodels featured in the campaign include activists/models Mari Malek founder of stand4education , Kadi Correia and Vika Levina. Hair and Make-Up were created by artist Chainelle Molina.
*Esteemed sponsors include Tom’s Sons International Pleating providing textile pleating for the Denim Day NYC Capsule collection and a mentorship with the City-As Design Academy Youth.
“BK Style Foundation is committed to supporting causes that affect our community, and we recognized Denim Day NYC’s mission and think it’s very important that we support a cause that touches everyone. Sexual assault/Violence is an epidemic in communities globally and we want to do our part to raise awareness.”- Rick Davy | Founder/Executive Director BK Style Foundation
“We are truly excited to launch the Denim Day NYC Campaign in honor of all of the survivors of sexual and domestic violence globally. Their voices and bravery inspire us to do our part in the fight for all survivors!”- Monica Watkins | Founder Beauty for Freedom
“Council for Fashion and Social Change is committed to causes that support survivors of sexual and domestic violence. We are very inspired to mentor and support the students of City-As School in co-creating this collection using recycled denim.” - Katya Akuma | Founder of Council for Fashion and Social Change
Introducing Campaign Models Mari Malek, Vika Levina & Kadi Correia
Directed by Monica Watkins and Candice Fortin
Produced by Monica Watkins, Jerry Chu and Candice Fortin
Director of Photography Todd Sines
Edited by Todd Sines
Musical Score by Todd Sines
Styled by Butch Diva and Monica Watkins
Hair/Make-Up by Chainelle Molina
City-As High School Youth Designers: Alex Lora, Hazel Cetemen & Anna Schwab
Designers: Butch Diva, Katya Akuma, Chantel Valentene, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Monica Watkins, International Pleating & Jerry Chu
Sponsored by International Pleating
Stories provided by survivors of trafficking, sexual violence and domestic violence.
Musical Score by Todd Sines
