MANSFIELD — A narrative fashion show called “Unchained” will take center stage at Berean Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 4.
“This isn’t your typical fashion show,” said Susi Maiyer of Shared Hope International. “It’s not about beauty or makeup. This is about telling a story of a travesty that’s happening in the United States.”
The Unchained Fashion Show was created to raise awareness of human trafficking using symbolic garments designed by Project Runway designer Korto Momolu, music and narration.
Each outfit (30 total) represents a different stage in the life of a human trafficking survivor.
Stephanie Myers Catani, Unchained co-founder and Mansfield Christian School graduate, hopes to help inform Mansfielders about a growing epidemic that isn’t limited to one region or culture.
“Growing up in Mansfield, I had no idea that something like this was happening in my country, let alone my state,” Catani said. “I always knew it was happening ‘over there,’ meaning internationally. But when I learned about the issue in my own state and city, I was shocked.”
According to Catani, there are 1,072 potential youth recruited in Ohio every year.
“Unchained looks at why someone is vulnerable, specifically targeted, then forced, blackmailed, or manipulated into being sold for sex, sometimes up to 20 times a night to different johns,” she said. “These are our daughters, sisters, our neighbors.”
Maiyer described the show as impactful and said spectators will learn what to look for and how to prevent others from becoming a trafficking victim.
“We believe that this crime will not have the end of the story,” Catani said. “There is always hope. And we want to see this crime end in our lifetime. We cannot do it alone.
“Therefore, we need everyone to have their eyes open, and know who to call. Any suspicious activity, please call the human trafficking hotline: 1-888-373-7888 and give as many details as possible of what you saw, who was involved, and where it occurred.”
The fashion show will take place at 7 p.m. at the church. The cost to attend is $20; tickets for additional family members cost $5 per person. Student tickets cost $10.
Proceeds of the event will benefit Shared Hope International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent sex trafficking and restore and bring justice to women and children who have been victimized through sex trafficking.
Tickets may be purchased at Berean Baptist Church or by visiting unchainedsharedhope.eventbrite.com.
There will be another Unchained Fashion Show on Oct. 20 for high school students in the Mansfield area. For more information about Unchained, visit www.unchainedfashionshow.com.
