Mara Hoffman Invites Women's March Founders to Open Her Show

From ELLE

Like many designers this season, Mara Hoffman decided to make a political statement at her Fall 2017 runway show. Hoffman wrote in her show notes that she was inspired by "women constantly creating in the name of change," and thus invited the co-founders of the Women's March on Washington–Linda Sarsour, Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory, and Carmen Perez–to make opening remarks.

They stood side by side in the space taking turns to speak. Bland started, stating part of the Women's March mission statement,"We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us. Hear our voices."

Sarsour first read a famous quote from Maya Angelou: "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope," then said, "We affirm our shared humanity. And pronounce our bold message of resistance and determination. We must create a society in which all women are free." At the end of their speeches, they were met with applause and cheers.

The show also featured dancers who, at one point, were moving along to Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman."

See which other designers are using fashion week to take a stand.

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