“Projopati”: acid survivors transformed through fashion
The Acid Survivors’ Foundation (ASF) and the Australian High Commission hosted the ‘Projapoti Christmas Collection 2009 Charity Fashion Show’ on 11 December, displaying clothing and other fashion items made by acid violence survivors. The Fashion Show was held to formally inaugurate the “Projapoti (Bengali for butterfly) Fashion Design Training House”, ASF’s project to help acid survivors regain their self-confidence and skills through vocational training in fashion and clothing production.
Guest of Honour State Minister of Women and Children Affairs Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, ASF Chairperson Ms Parveen Mahmud, ASF Executive Director Ms Monira Rahman, and host Australia’s High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee, all addressed the audience giving thanks to the contributors and congratulations to everyone involved in the project.
“Projapoti” has produced a limited edition fashion line of handcrafted products all made by acid survivors themselves during the training period. Acid survivors together with Australian Youth Ambassadors and students from the NSU Earth Club walked the red carpet, modelling various tunics, panjabi’s and shirts, as well as other accessories. Modelling fashions together upheld the principle that ‘we are equal to each other’ and ‘together we can make a difference’.
The “Projapoti” or butterfly label was chosen by acid survivors for the fashion project to symbolise the transformation and inner growth that survivors go through to realise their potential. Acid violence not only affects people physically and emotionally, it also has a devastating long-term effect on their economic and social life. Survivors face discrimination, social inequality and a lack of opportunity. The “Projapoti” project helps their social and economic re-integration through small enterprise training.
Technical assistance for the show was provided by Beauty Expert Kaneez Almas Khan (Persona Beauty Care) and Fashion Designer Emdad Hoque (Bangla Mela). Bitopi Advertising Limited designed the “Projapoti” logo. The event was organized through the joint effort of Option, with special thanks to the fashion designers Ms. Rowshan Ara Begum and Swati Bhuiyan and project manager Ms Tineke Kemena. All contributed to the event voluntarily.
ASF has been working in Bangladesh since 1999, with the mission ‘to help acid survivors rebuild their lives and end acid violence by 2015’. Thanks to the Australian High Commission, as well as the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Canadian International Development Agency, core donors of ASF, and the supports of many other contributors, ASF has now reduced successfully the number of acid attacks from about 500 in 2002 to 179 in 2008. ASF has devised several projects to help acid survivors reintegrate into society. All proceeds from the fashion show will go back to sustain the fashion design house ‘Projapoti’ a project to develop survivors as entrepreneurs.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka, 11 December 2009
For further information please contact: Senior Political & Economic Research Officer, AHC Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]
or Project Manager, Projapoti Fashion Design House
Tel: 9886383, E-mail: [email protected]