African headwrap business, Herstori Wraps, hosted a public promotional photoshoot in downtown Phoenix on Saturday in preparation for the Amber Rose SlutWalk.
The Amber Rose SlutWalk is a global movement that brings awareness to rape culture, gender equality and promotes female empowerment. The annual march is taking place on Oct. 6, 2018, in downtown Los Angeles.
Anneke Marie, founder and CEO of Herstori Wraps, said she will be a vendor at the march. Marie will be using the photos taken at the shoot to promote her brand in the vendor booth, on social media and on the company’s website.
Marie said the aim for the photo shoot was to “mimic a march” through signs and outfit choices.
“I really want everyone to express what feminism means to them, and then also try to express through whatever they’re wearing, signs, or t-shirts, what rape culture is to them,” she said.
Keake Williams, a friend of Marie who will be attending the march with her, said the Amber Rose SlutWalk represents what still needs to be talked about in society regarding rape culture.
“I think that it’s time that we really start talking about rape culture and really start working towards ending that,” she said. “It’s really okay for men to do whatever they want, however they want because they think that they’re entitled and it’s not okay.”
Clarice Dear, one of the women who participated in the photo shoot, said the Amber Rose SlutWalk should be known because rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of what they are wearing.
“You can wear anything and something can happen,” she said. “I was wearing a hospital gown. It’s not what you wear, it’s just who the person is, and the situation.”
The women who came out to take part in the photo shoot brought signs to use as props with a variety of messages and images displayed on them and were free to wear whatever they wanted. Marie said there were no rules regarding outfit choices, and she was even expecting a few people to be nude.
“To me (feminism) is more equality,” Darcella Prouty said. “It’s not necessarily hating men, or being biased. It’s just making sure that we have equal rights. We should be able to dress any way we want. If a guy can walk down the street with no shirt on, we should be able to do the same kinds of things too.”
A few men came downtown to show their support. Prouty’s boyfriend, Larry Hisel, attended the shoot and modeled alongside Pouty for a few photos as well.
Marie took photos of the women against brick walls, holding up their signs, and even in the street when no cars were coming.
“I think the SlutWalk is very empowering,” Marie said. “The name kind of throws people off and I think maybe Amber Rose can maybe throw people off, but the mission behind it is amazing. And I think that with being empowered and telling women that they can do whatever they want, besides wearing a hair-wrap, is really beautiful.”
Contact the reporter at eswhitfi@asu.edu.
