For the seventh consecutive year, the TransLatin @ Coalition organization held its fashion event Garras Fashion Show to raise funds that allow them to provide housing and other critical services to the trans and non-binary community.
“The Garras Fashion Show is a platform that brings together models from the trans community and high-end designers sewing ”, explains María Román, director of the TransLatino @ Coalition, a national organization based in Los Angeles, made up of trans-Latin @ leaders.
“ This year we were completely full. We sold more than 465 tickets for the fashion show . With the income from the box office, donations and the support of the sponsors, we will continue to provide a safe space through emergency and transitional housing for up to 6 months. ”
From 2009 organized to advocate for the needs of TransLatin @ s who are immigrants and reside in the United States.
“Every year since 2014, the fundraiser for Garras Fashion Show has a different approach to where to direct what has been obtained because the needs of the community are immense ”, says Román.
This year they will give two scholarships for trans people from $ 19 , 000 each.
In the 2021 edition of Claws Fashion Show, participated around 80 trans and 10 designers as well as 80 makeup artists and hairdressers. “Everyone donates their time and talent to us.”
Román talks that due to the pandemic, last year did not They were able to carry out their annual fashion event in person, but they did it virtually.
“This year, for the safety of the community, we looked for a place that was outdoors and we got a very Latin space, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. ”
Román says that this fashion show fundraising was very important because the pandemic highlighted the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
“We gave $ 250, 000 in scholarships during covid – 19 for rental and food assistance. ”
Explains that although the majority of the Trans community is already vaccinated against covid, there is a large portion that have not done so because they do not feel safe since there is mistrust in the government.
But the coronavirus has also taken its toll on the Trans population, “More than 200 Have they died. Even Lorena Borjas, one of the first Trans people who was a member of our board, died of covid, at the beginning of the pandemic. ”
So during the Garras Fashion Show, dedicated a minute of silence to all those Trans people who lost the battle to covid – 19.
“Also November is the month of awareness of trans people”, Roman clarifies.
And consider that covid – 19 brought many challenges to the TransLatina community and made its biggest problems.
“Many lost their jobs and are behind in paying their rent. It’s going to take months for them to recover. ”
In the midst of all this trouble, the Claws Fashion Show was a moment of celebration for the TransLatina community of Los Angeles.
“Despite all the losses, we wanted to say, we are still present, taking control of our lives, creating organizations to provide resources to our community, as well as spaces for them to have access to government resources and designing programs especially for you. ”
The Mexican designer based in Los Angeles, Eruvey Tapia participates with his creations since 2015 at the Claws Fashion Show.
“It is a pleasure and an emotion that they invite me because it motivates me to see the work they put in, and because they are people who value the effort of a haute couture designer. The Trans community is a very demanding public, it is always on the edge of excellence. ”
Tapia says she wore 8 photography dresses and show, with which the models paraded down a large one-block catwalk. “The Garras Fashion Show is already at the height of the New York Fashion Show. It is very neat and very well done. We can see exotic and extravagant costumes. ”
And he adds that whenever he is invited, he will be ready to support the cause. “This Fashion Show gives you the opportunity as a designer to let your imagination run wild. I unburden myself, I de-stress; and it is a pleasure and joy to meet fellow designers such as Natalia Acosta and Jesse Alvarado. ”
Christina Arias made her debut as a model of the Garras Fashion Show , modeling 4 dresses by three different designers, including Eruvey Tapia and Cecilia Gutiérrez.
“It was an incredible experience. At first, I was super nervous, but then I let go and felt like a fish in water. ”
She says that one of what she liked the most was that it was an inclusive event. “ Designs were created for trans women of all sizes, colors, heights and ages. They included us all, and it was not a runway for super skinny and tall models
”, says Christina, who is 5.7 tall.
And the best thing, she says, is that all the participants did their bit to help raise money for the housing and services program for TransLatin @ women.
“That’s why when they invited me, I didn’t think of it. I live in Sacramento, but I did not mind coming to Los Angeles because it is not a fashion event to sell glamor and expensive dresses. The Garras Fashion Show is inclusive in all aspects, and has a great cause. ”