Forgotten by politicians and snubbed by society, Brazilian prostitutes entered the scene to claim their rights, using a weird weapon that made thousands people fall: extravagant stylish dresses.

Cutthroat competition. It’s taking place in Rio de Janeiro where, following the motto “we’re prostitutes and proud of it”, street women created t-shirts, sexy dresses and bags inspired by their life style. The fashion house’s name is Daspu, which is short for "das putas," or "of the whores" in Portuguese. The main aim is to get the money needed to set up an awareness campaign. Thinking that their job is like any other one, prostitutes demand new adequate laws that will assure them assistance and a pension too. Because prostitution is legal but not protected in Brazil. “Some of us still need to prostitute even if they’re 60 years old. Customers are few and the the young girls’ competition is ruthless”, they say.

An unexpected success. Davida, a Brazilian non-governmental organization that has always been fighting for the recognition of prostitution as a professional activity and against sexually transmitted diseases, is helping them. It was the NGO director, Gabriela Leite who used to be a prostitute, that brought the clothing line into the fashion world and made it become so important as to be exposed in San Paolo Biennial Museum of Contemporary Art in October, where it was highly appreciated.

From the t-shirt to the runway. Rafaela Monteiro is a full-time stylist working with inspiring model/prostitutes. The first collection was named “Street 69” and its core was the character of the ideal customer “that goes away and never stays” that is to say the truck driver. “As Daspu clothing line is produced for all kinds of women”, as Rafaela Monteiro says, “clothes had to be feminine but not vulgar”. The stylist was inspired by Rio and Copacabana streets so clothing design and colours are “very Brazilian”. In just six months this fashion house has jumped from the simple t-shirt production to the prêt-à-porter world: the new brand presentation fashion shows doubled achieving good fame and money. Cool shops in Rio recently sold more that 5.000 t-shirts. An unexpected success.

Not only fashion. Thanks to this impact, even the demands supported by Davida achieved more visibility. “We want every prejudge and discrimination to disappear, making prostitutes walk on the runway” explained Gabriela Leite. “It doesn’t matter if they’re young, old, fat or slim; they have to break beauty standards. And through this, they’ll become even more self-confident.” In fact Davida also gives psychological support to prostitutes.

Against tradition. The hope is that the brand’s success, that literally bewitched Rio and is spreading all over the country, will shake society and reach the Brazilian Parliament. Fernando Gabeira, member of the Green Party, presented a law project to regulate the oldest job in the world: this plan has been hanging over for three years but it may be discussed soon even if the Brazilian society is believed not to be ready for such a change. After all, Brazil is a traditionalist country where both society and politics are influenced by the catholic or evangelical Church so there’s still a long road to walk. In the meantime prostitutes from Rio console themselves with their new activity. Their brand is ready for a great jump over ocean. What destination? Paris of course, the fashion capital, where Lafayette galleries are interested in the Brazilian collection.