My best friend and photographer, London Lunoux shot this upon shooting for her photo thesis on the hidden lives of exotic dancers and and sex workers. She highlighted many of the lifestyle and relationship burdens carried by these women by capturing them into cinematic images each telling a commonly unique story.
This particular photo was our glamorous collaboration after shooting the school related stuff by shooting in the Pepto Bismol pink hallway of my apartment building. I had been anxious to shoot my shiny black leggings that I found for 10 bucks at the American Apparel flea market at the Oregon Convention Center. A line was two hours long and if I hadn’t have spotted stylist, Annie Angell in front of the line who agreed to purchase them on my behalf, I would have left without them. The tank top is also a favorite of mine, a beloved Nordstrom clearance rack find. I fancy myself a bargain shopper by necessity as a single mom who strives to remain fabulous.
The charity that hits close to home would is “Shared Hope International”http://www.sharedhope.org, a worldwide effort to eradicate sexual slavery. I was not personally victimized by this crime but have friends, both male and female, that were sold into sexual slavery as children. Fada Salon held a fundraiser fashion show for Shared Hope International and I was brought to tears at how common this crime is as nearly 300,000 children are made victims every year. To further twist the knife, Portland, Oregon, the city I call home is a major hot spot for the sex slaves
As a mother, community member, former sex industry worker, lover, friend and shopaholic to many; it is my duty to speak out as a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Thank you all for your votes, support and to Chictopia for the opportunity to share this worthy charity.
