Tens of millions live in states with restricted abortion access, a fact AREA and Tinder highlighted yesterday at NYFW with new “Ban Off Our Bodies” shirts, and three people personally affected by the abortion bans sat front row at AREA’s show, speaking after about their experiences.
Nancy Davis, a mother of four from Louisiana, a state with a near-total abortion ban, traveled over 1,000 miles to NYC in order to receive a safe abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with acrania, a rare congenital disorder where it does not develop a skull. Her doctor advised her to terminate her nonviable pregnancy to protect her health: “It was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life,” she said in an interview with Diet Prada. “I could not believe my rights and my bodily autonomy was taken away from me.”
Given the current political climate of an election year and reproductive rights being at stake at the polls, Tinder wanted to make a bold statement at NYFW, said Melissa Hobley, Tinder’s Global Chief Marketing Officer. Area immediately reached out after Tinder put out the call and together they collaborated on a limited edition tee shirt featuring hot pink hand print patches on the front, the color of Planned Parenthood.
While New York is a safe haven for those needing abortions, activist Cassandra Klewick says there just isn’t enough funding. “This Tinder partnership is really cool because there’s money attached to it for Planned Parenthood. That’s what we need right now, brands siding with the side of abortion rights,” she concluded.
Using fashion as a vehicle AREA and Tinder hope to destigmatize the conversation around abortion. Tinder will also be donating $25,000 to Planned Parenthood as a sign of their commitment to standing up for reproductive rights. As activist Alexis Richer said at the event, “Abortion is healthcare, abortion is normal, and abortion should be talked about.” We still have lots of work to do. Our rights are on the ballot. Vote.
