Fashion Fights Against Sexual Assault and Raises Awareness Through Emerging Talent at New York’s High School of Fashion Industries

Fashion found its voice on National Denim Day 2026 as students and faculty at the High School of Fashion Industries used design as a powerful form of protest, advocacy, and storytelling in support of survivors of sexual assault.

Observed on the last Wednesday of April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day 2026 is a worldwide movement that promotes solidarity with survivors while encouraging awareness, accountability, and education surrounding sexual violence.

At the Wassner Family Fashion Design Studio on the ninth floor of the school’s Manhattan campus, ambitious Fashion Design majors unveiled handcrafted denim looks that transformed fabric into deeply personal social statements. Through silhouettes, textures, embellishments, and symbolism, students confronted difficult topics surrounding consent, victim blaming, and sexual abuse.

“This interdisciplinary project crosses grade levels as well as community,” said Belinda David, Fashion Design teacher and advisor for the Fashion With a Purpose Club. “This year our school is celebrating its centennial and our 100th year as a high school. Our students researched the historic aspects of women’s empowerment beginning in the 1920s.” she said.

Faculty members explained that the initiative also gives students professional experience while allowing them to advocate for important social issues.

“They outline the entire process in their digital portfolio and what it took to design the garments,” said Ionia Dunn Lee Cisse, Fashion Design teacher and former fashion editor at Essence Magazine. “They photograph and document their work, and they get to keep the designs as part of their portfolios.”

During a May 7^th  visit to the Wassner Design Studio, students prepared their garments for the upcoming Fashion Industries 100th Anniversary Fashion Show in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District scheduled for May 20^th. Each student spoke candidly about the inspiration behind their creations and the messages they hoped to communicate.

“My inspiration was the early 2000s, when partying was most common,” said 10th grader Giselle Edmond. Her design explored conversations surrounding denim miniskirts, and consent, “My design asks, ‘If I wear this skirt, would there be a potential problem of being harass?’ Clothes can’t talk, so are you trying to say?” said Edmond.

A similar message appeared in the work of 10th grader Layana Jones, whose ballerina-inspired denim look featured a fitted bodice and shortened purposely at the skirt. “I purposely made the skirt shorter because I wanted to show that the length of clothing never means it’s okay to touch someone,” she said.

For 11th grader Luna Ikenaga, structural design became a metaphor for bodily autonomy. Her black denim sheath dress featured corsetry and multiple zippers intended to symbolize protection and control. “My inspiration was the hypocrisy of men believing clothing is an invitation,” said Ikenaga. “Denim is stiff and difficult to tear apart. The dress is connected at the waist. The waist is the smallest part of a woman’s body. The back closures make it impossible to remove without consent and assistance.”

Consent and protection were also central themes in the work of 11th grader Keyara James, who designed a provocative yet armored look complete with spikes and a OSHA lock detail. “I wanted the design to feel sultry and bold, but I added spikes and a lock because you’re supposed to look, not touch,” James said. “A woman’s clothing never gives permission. The OSHA lock represents boundaries, and the religious imagery of Jesus symbolizes spiritual protection.” she said.

Several students drew inspiration from women’s activism throughout history. 10th grader Catalina Romero referenced the 1970s Take Back the Night marches that happen in the Southern States. In her denim design,  which incorporated featuring fringe, polka dots and bell-bottom silhouettes. “I was inspired by the movements against violence toward women,” Romero said. “I also looked at 1970s fashion trends and vintage references.”

Other students confronted the sexualization of children and teenage girls entering puberty. 11^th grader Amma Opoku designed a look inspired by children’s clothing and the uncomfortable mentality of how predators perceive young girls. “I wanted to show how normal children’s clothing can be viewed in a disturbing and sexualized way through the eyes of predators or rapist” Opoku explained.

Mental health and trauma also emerged as recurring themes throughout the showcase like 11^th grader Keyra Marquez Abreu, who covered her garment in red and pink handprints to represent emotional devastation and the lasting psychological effects of abuse. “My design expresses raw emotion and the decline of a woman’s mental health after assault,” she said. “The handprints represent the sexual assault and same sex assault”.

Handprints also appeared in the work of 10th grader Erik Luna, whose crimson red -stained denim dress symbolized the lasting effects of sexual violence. “It represents the permanent impact sexual assault leaves on survivors,” said Luna and 10^th  grader Brenda Jolson incorporated red sequined and red buttons handprints on the back her denim mini skirt design to symbolize the universality of the issue. “The different red  buttons represent people from every background,” said Jolson.

Texture and fabric manipulation added additional layers of meaning in several designs. 10^th graders Constanza Muniz Artera and Zoe Woods used fur, lace, patchwork, and accessories to emphasize individuality and self-expression. “My inspiration was using your voice,” said Artera. “Showing your body does not mean asking for attention.”

Bold patterns and vibrant color palettes were explored by 10th graders Anna Chen and Danazia Crump Banks. Banks drew inspiration from 1980s fashions, combining turquoise and brown denim strips to symbolize personal boundaries. “Denim Day is about showing that clothing is never an invitation,” said Banks.

Chen focused on sustainability and Japanese mending techniques inspired by Depression-era resourcefulness. “Instead of buying new clothing, people repaired and combined fabrics,” Chen said. “The tight waistband represents the feeling of restriction and assault, while the buttons make the garment difficult to remove.” said Chen

For 11th grader Gesele Diaz, the project became deeply personal. “I know people who have gone through this, and I’ve experienced it myself,” said Diaz . Her black paisley denim dressed was inspired by butterflies “My design covers the body to show that no matter what someone wears, people may still treat it like an invitation. The chains and keys symbolize access and consent you only have access if I allow it.” she said.

Direct statements of advocacy also appeared throughout the showcase, including a denim design by 10th grader Melaine Mijangos featuring the phrase “Consent Matters” boldly displayed across the back of her denim outfit.

The event concluded with remarks from seniors in the class. Empi Mends and Raven Alleyne, who participates in the Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) through Rising Ground at HSFI. Since 1999, the organization has focused on youth education and healthy relationship advocacy in New York City middle and high school students.

“Every year we honor survivors and raise awareness for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Alleyne. “We march on Denim Day 2026 at the public rally at Borough Hall in Brooklyn alongside domestic violence organizations from across the borough,” she said. “We raised awareness and funds for this cause”

“The event ends with a march across the Brooklyn Bridge, and students from our school showcase and are highlighted the pieces they created throughout our  campaign and creativity.” said Mends.