International Creative Women is pleased to present Let Her Be, an art project created for the celebration of International Women's day by Stichting C.L.O
In a world where women's rights are still not fully realised, a group of 40 women from 16 nationalities, has co-created a powerful artistic statement. They have woven their voices, ideas, cultures and stories into 14 stunning tunics that represent the fundamental human rights.
These dresses are more than just fabric and thread, they are symbols of hope, courage and resilience. Each dress has been meticulously crafted to tell a unique story. From the right to equality and movements, to freedom from slavery and discrimination, these women have poured their hearts and souls into every stitch.
The tunics are not only beautiful, but also a poignant reminder of the struggles that women continue to face every day.
LET HER BE
ART IN MOVEMENT
BACKGROUND
Equity isn’t just a nice to have, it’s a must have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA. To reach an equitable society, we should fight for women’s freedom.
The world tend to keep its eyes closed when women are not able to show their beautiful dresses, their long hair, or their intelligence when they talk.Women deserve freedom! To study, to think, to grow, to find their partner, to give an opinion, freedom to just be.
We are not a political group or a feminist one, but avoiding these topics limits our possibilities for a change in the near future.
THE CONCEPT
One of the best ways to draw attention and interact is art. Graphic art is a mute manifestation that reaches multiple senses. Let Her Be is a ‘freedom’ movement created for International Women’s Day Celebration.
40 women from 16 Nationalities have designed 14 tunics that represent fundamental Human Rights. These women, together, infused their voices, ideas, and personal stories into the fabric, using their art as a platform to express themselves and stand up for what they believe in.
These tunics represent the courage and resilience of women who have often been silenced and marginalized, and who refuse to be invisible any longer. Through their creativity, these women are making a bold statement about the importance of equality, freedom, and justice for all. This project is a testament to the power of creativity and community, and a call to action for a world where all women are free to live their lives with dignity and respect.
THE GOAL
This project is a powerful call to action for women around the world to unite and express themselves creatively in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Through this project, we aim to create a global network of women who are committed to the values of human rights and gender equality. By coming together to discuss and share our stories, we hope to build a collective understanding of the challenges faced by women around the world, and to find new and creative ways to address those challenges.
The Process
We believe that by working together in teams, women of different communities, religions and countries can build a bond that transcends borders and differences, and that this bond can become a support system that empowers and inspires us all.
The process of co-creation was a beautiful and empowering journey that allowed women from different backgrounds and perspectives to come together and create something truly remarkable.
In this particular project, we put out a call for women from all walks of life - Dutch, local, artists, entrepreneurs, homestay moms, volunteers, etc - with no limitations.
We gathered online to explain the project and had an open discussion panel facilitated by the amazing Dorangela Giraldo. As we discussed Human Rights, we bonded and shared our experiences, creating a sense of unity and solidarity that is hard to come by in our busy lives.
Divided into groups of three, each group was paired with a female artist who guided the group through the creative process of designing a tunic that represented the perception and feelings regarding freedom, human rights, and equality. It was a challenging yet rewarding task that required us to dig deep into our emotions and communicate them through art.
We received a white tunic designed and created by Kaftaan Queens, a blank canvas for us to unleash our creativity. Each group worked on a specific human right . The independent design process was liberating and allowed us to fully express ourselves.
As we worked together, we formed new bonds and friendships, each group creating a unique masterpiece that reflected their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The co-creation process was not just about creating art; it was about creating a community of empowered women who came together to make a statement about the importance of Human Rights.
CONCEPT AND BRANDING BY
SALLY OCANA
ORIGINAL TUNICS DESIGN BY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
NIMITA PATIL
