Did you know that there are 72 countries in the world where homosexuality is still illegal? And in 12 of those countries, you can get the death penalty for being gay?
In order to highlight how we still have some way to go before homosexuality is accepted and celebrated around the world, designer Mattijs van Bergen and artist Oeri van Woezik created a dress that is as beautiful as it is a shocking statement.
The gown is made from the flags of the 72 countries where homosexuality is banned and during Euro Pride in Amsterdam, trans model Valentijn de Hingh wore the impressive creation for an portrait photograph.
Photographer Pieter Henket wrote on Instagram “The COC (Dutch organization for LGBT men and women) collected these flags and together with Fashion designer Matthijs van Bergen and artist Oeri van Woezik they decided to make these flags into a giant rainbow dress.
“I then was asked to come on board to create a image. And where best to do that then in front of one of the most beautiful paintings in the world “the night watch” by Rembrandt in “Het Rijksmuseum”
Not only is this dress a feat of fashion but it also makes a statement and reminds the world that the fight for equality is nowhere near over.
De Hingh wrote on Instagram “Every country that changes its legislation will have its flag replaced by a rainbow flag. Let’s hope this dress will represent a patchwork of rainbows sooner rather than later!”
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