Show against human trafficking

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) collaborated with international NGO youcanfree.us to raise awareness against human trafficking during the Wills Fashion Week last week. The show was inspired by an actual sex worker Alice (name changed), who was rescued by the NGO from GB Road, in New Delhi.

The show started off with a ballad performance by Nicolina, which reflected the emotions that a victim of sex trafficking goes through when pushed into the flesh trade. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and tennis ace Leander Peas also came out in support of the cause. Designers Manish Arora, Suneet Varma, J J Valaya, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Tarun Tahiliani, Shantanu and Nikhil, Ashish Soni, Lecoanet Hemant, Ravi Bajaj, Ritu Beri and Ashima-Leena gave a makeover to Alice through their outfits, while celebrity photographer Subi Samuel captured her in camera lens.

The show for a cause also saw models walk the ramp in the same outfits that were created by the 12 designers for Alice, whose photographs were displayed as a backdrop to the runway. The highlight of the show was Leander, who walked with Alice, while taking a final bow.

Youcanfree.us, founded by Sujo John, is an international movement that rescues women out of forced prostitution.