Fashion & Feminism Face-Off
Photographer: Ryan Zimmerman
Stylist: Natasha Johnson Lashley

This is the beginning to a long overdue conversation where tradition meets modernity and east meets west. Where they collide emerges the voice of the survivors, the matriarchs, and the she-ros-- that have yet to be heard. Acts of female gender based violence have occurred globally since the beginning of time, with no real recourse subjected to the perpetrator. But today, the former victim, now survivor, has her say! Watch her in Asia combating foot binding, applaud her in Latin America retaliating against burnings and brandings, observe her in Africa deterring female circumcision, and admire her in the Middle East fighting honor killings. Not only are you in awe of her for her courage, but you marvel at her ability to simultaneously look fierce in the face of battling her offenders.

Asia - Foot Binding: a traditional practice executed among girl children in which the toes are bent backwards towards the heals and bound with cloth in an effort to keep women’s feet small and to prohibit women from taking broad steps.

Latin America - Branding: a modern practice becoming popular in certain Latin American regions like Mexico in which women are burned by their male partners by iron pokers as a method of labeling their mates. Women within these regions are often sent double messages: to be saintly and demure in public and a vixen in the bedroom. This juxtaposition is explored here.

Africa - Female Circumcision: a practice that is estimated to be nearly 5,000 years old and is common throughout Africa and the Middle East. The practice can take several forms, from the less extreme to the more severe. Varying forms include the cutting and/or complete removal of the clitoris, the labia majora, and/or infibulation (the sewing of the vaginal lips). This practice is executed with knives, razors, or scissors.

Middle East - Honor Killings: a practice most prominent in South East Asia, particularly Pakistan. Women who deviate from the prescripted social context will be punished publicly with honor killings. A male relative, usually a brother or male cousin, is chosen to stone the “unruly” woman with rocks in a public arena until severe injury or death is the result.