(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Fox21 News crew took to the runway alongside community leaders last night for the second annual “Fashion with a Purpose” runway show, held in collaboration with Venu, to raise awareness about the impact of fashion choices on labor and human trafficking.
“Although the prices might seem wonderful, when you see the history behind it, it’s not as enjoyable. It’s sad sometimes,” said Peggy Ziglin, President of Fashion Guru LLC.
The event, which featured members of the Fox21 news team as models, aimed to highlight the often-hidden consequences of the fashion industry, particularly its links to labor exploitation and human trafficking. By showcasing sustainable fashion, the event encouraged attendees to reconsider their purchasing habits.
“In order to combat human trafficking and sex trafficking, these are things we kind of have to look for,” Ziglin added.
“The most stunning thing I have ever seen is a survivor discovering their worth, coming to believe for the very first time: ‘I am worth more. I am worth more than what happened to me,'” said Jennisue Jessen, a human trafficking survivor and speaker at the event.
“After 14 years of being raped for profit, my attempt to escape through suicide had failed. Many of you might think that human trafficking happens somewhere far away on the other side of the world. But I’m here to tell you it happened to me and it’s happening to individuals across our state,” Jessen shared.
The fashion show was not only a platform for raising awareness but also a celebration of resilience and community support. Fox21 anchors Abbie Burke and Rachel Saurer served as emcees, keeping the atmosphere lighthearted and engaging.
Fox21’s Storm Team Meteorologist, Nic Temple, made his debut on the runway, adding a touch of humor to the event. “I’m nervous…. I wish I could just say it’s raining, but I guess I’m going to be making it rain on the runway,” he joked.
Rachel Saurer noted the transformation of her colleagues during the event, saying, “What I really like to see was Nic really came out of his shell…. okay, Craig and Matt definitely want the crowd. We can’t lie.”
Rachel Saurer expressed that the event made her reconsider her fashion choices, emphasizing that sustainable options are affordable.
The “Fashion with a Purpose” event successfully combined fashion and advocacy, urging attendees to think critically about their fashion choices and their broader implications. The evening was a reminder of the power of community and awareness in combating human trafficking.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by FOX21. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by FOX21 staff before being published.
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