Rise Survivor Fashion Show - 2025

photos by Indie Studios

Every September as the world gathers for fashion week, the Rise organization brings survivors’ stories to the forefront of the fashion industry and involves fashion brands in celebrating survivor empowerment while integrating their work with the United Nations and global partners.

The show turns the idea of ‘What Were You Wearing?’ on its head to showcases just how little the act of sexual violence is connected to what a survivor was wearing.

A woman in a cream-colored suit speaks into a microphone on stage at the Survivor Fashion Show, with an audience and a large digital screen displaying the event's name behind her.
Polaroid photographs spread out on a table, featuring people in various outfits and settings, with handwritten labels underneath each photo.
A group of women gathered around a woman in a white suit, who appears to be giving a presentation or speech in a kitchen setting. There are photographs and a small camera on the stainless steel table.
A woman with gray hair pressed back, wearing a black jacket with white piping, looks at the camera in a busy indoor setting with other women gathered around tables.
Group of six people talking and smiling at indoor event.
Group of women socializing at an indoor event, smiling, and exchanging greetings.
Three women sharing a joyful moment, one seated in a wheelchair, the others standing, against a plain white background.
Close-up of a person's hand displaying various silver rings and bracelets, with a dark background.
A woman with short brown hair is sitting at a table, smiling with her eyes closed, with her hands raised near her face. She is surrounded by a group of people, some clapping and others smiling, in what appears to be a lively gathering or celebration in a kitchen or break room.
A young woman with short brown hair wearing a black satin blazer, standing in profile with one hand touching her head, in an indoor setting with people in the background.
Close-up of a necklace with large, clear gemstones and a large, carved green and white gemstone pendant worn over black clothing.
A woman with long dark hair in a white suit speaking into a microphone during an event.
A woman in a shiny gold dress is speaking at a microphone during the fifth annual Survivor Fashion Show, with a black screen behind her displaying the event's name.
A woman playing guitar and singing into a microphone at a fashion event called Survivor Fashion Show, with an audience watching attentively.
A woman in a blue spacesuit celebrates after landing in front of a rocket-shaped capsule, while a woman in black assists her. An audience is seated and clapping during a presentation.
Two women hugging on a stage, one wearing a white pleated skirt and blazer, the other in black pants with a white stripe and a black top.
A model walks on stage at the Survivor Fashion Show, wearing a flowing pink dress with ruffles, while an audience claps and watches. The backdrop displays event details.
Woman walking on runway in a sheer, cream-colored, tulle dress with ruffled sleeves.
A woman in a black suit walking on a runway, carrying a textured handbag, with stage lighting overhead.
Audience members seated in row watching a stage performance, clapping, some with hands raised, in a dim indoor setting.
Man walking on a runway during a fashion event with an audience clapping in the background, with a Forbes banner visible.
A woman with long dark hair walking down a runway, wearing a black ruched dress with a deep V neckline and gold high heels.
A person in a wheelchair on stage at the Survivor Fashion Show, with an audience clapping and taking photos. A large screen behind displays the event's name, and a Forbes sign is visible on the wall.
A diverse group of people walking down a runway during a fashion show. Some are clapping while others are smiling, with an audience seated on either side of the runway.
A group of people at a fashion event, including a man in a long black coat, women in colorful dresses, and a person in a wheelchair. Some are taking photos, others are talking and laughing.