A series of workshops at The High School of Fashion Industries in New York City about sexual violence, teen relationship abuse and healthy relationships inspired a powerful event (and video above) in 2022.

Hannah Johnson, the relationship abuse prevention program coordinator and counselor (RAPP) at the school, worked with the peer leadership club to come up with a creative way to communicate messaging related to *Denim Day with the students.

“We learned about Denim Day and students wanted to create a fashion show that could communicate this (domestic violence awareness) message to all of the student body,” says Hannah. “The fashion and marketing classes worked together to create and promote a fashion show.”

About 400 students attended the show held in the school auditorium on April 29. The event also had a fundraising element with funds raised for student scholarships based on their advocacy around sexual assault as well as a donation to Barrier Free Living.

“We wanted to find (ways to support) marginalized survivors. We were like this (Barrier Free Living) is an organization that is in line with our hopes of supporting survivors,” says Hannah.

Hannah gave a special shout out to Riti Shrestha (12th grade) and Natalie Henry (11th grade) part of the RAPP Club who helped significantly in the planning and execution of the event.

“I am incredibly proud of both of them and have seen them grow tremendously and am confident that they are continuing the be fierce advocates for change in raising awareness wherever they go and whoever they meet,” says Hannah.  “These high schoolers and now high school graduates are making a change in their communities.

The school plans to do another fashion show next year.
*Denim Day takes place on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This day of action and awareness is an event in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.