Colombia: Fashion for peace - ex-militants stage show in Bogota

M/S Model walking with banner reading in Spanish: "Implement the YA agreement [peace agreement]", Bogota
M/S Model with banner reading in Spanish: "Fashion is a political act"
SOT, Milena Reyes, ex-militant (Spanish): "We are very happy and happy to know that you are here with us, that we are still committed and that you are here with us. We know the difficult conditions that we are experiencing, but that this is a sign of the commitment to peace, the commitment to Colombia, the commitment to ourselves, as women and men, that we took the step to reintegrate in society. Thank you very much."
M/S Model with banner reading in Spanish: "Manifest peace"
M/S Model on holding banner reading in Spanish: "We are delivering"
M/S Model with banner reading in Spanish: "Weaving peace"
SOT, Angela Maria Herrera, PAZarela project designer (Spanish): "The objective is above all to send a clear message that the will for peace remains firm. I believe that more than ever it is important to carry this message to all members of Colombian society. Those on the side of peace are greater in numbers. The will of the reintegrated [ex-guerrillas] is also firm and it is through fashion that they chose to rejoin civil life."
W/S Models releasing white balloons
M/S Students taping 'PAZarela' sign
M/S Students in models' room
W/S Exterior of the University of the Andes
SCRIPT
Former FARC fighters attempting to reintegrate into society staged a fashion show in Bogota on Wednesday to promote Colombia's peace agreement.
The ex-militants are part of the project 'PAZarela' which encourages the peace process by making politically themed clothes and holding fashion events.
"We know the difficult conditions that we are experiencing, but that this is a sign of the commitment to peace, the commitment to Colombia, the commitment to ourselves, as women and men, that we took the step to reintegrate in society," said Milena Reyes, a former FARC militant who is now designing clothes.
"The objective is above all to send a clear message that the will for peace remains firm. I believe that more than ever it is important to carry this message to all members of Colombian society. Those on the side of peace are greater in numbers," added PAZerla project designer Angela Maria Herrera.
The former militants who joined PAZarela project are based in Territorial Training and Reintegration Spaces (ETCR) in Colombia. These areas aim to re-integrate ex-FARC members into civilian life through the promotion of arts, crafts and sports.