Denim Day NYC Campaign Launches

Raising Awareness for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence While Empowering Youth Advocates Through a Fashion and Social Justice Workshop Series

Anti-trafficking organization Beauty for Freedom, BK Style Foundation, 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.

Concluding the BFF Design + Empowerment Workshops at City-As School, we launched the “Stories of Survivors” Campaign on April 2017. 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 Denim Couture Collection features 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

Agency: CTM Sisters Productions
Directed by Monica Watkins and Candice Fortin
Produced by Monica Watkins, Jerry Chu and Candice Fortin
Dir. of Photography & 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.