by Bridget Richard

Paris Fashion Week 2013: A great showcase of international fashion, running from September 24 to October 2 just came to a close this past week. The celebration and exhibition of high fashion featured famous names such as Dior, Comme des Garcons, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, among many other designers.

But one new name that was brought to the public’s attention during the Fashion Week was that of a feminist women’s movement, Femen, when two protesting women ran onto the runway topless during the Nina Ricci fashion show. This was during the third day of the fashion week. Femen is a feminist group famous for topless disruptions, who describe themselves as, “…The new Amazons, capable to undermine the foundations of the patriarchal world by their intellect, sex, agility, make disorder, bring neurosis and panic to the men’s world.”

The two young women ran on stage calling out “Fashion Fascism,” clad only in their shoes and black pants. One girl had “Model don’t go to brothel” written across her bare torso, while the other had “Fashion Fascism” on hers.

One model, eighteen year-old Hollie-May Saker, was walking down the runway when the two women ran on as well. In an interview with The Liverpool Echo, she recalled the event. “I was so angry but I knew I had to be professional so I carried on walking with a bit of sassiness. My Scouseness [Liverpool background] came out a bit but I wish it had come out a bit more. Thinking about it now I wish I’d pushed them both off the stage because they ruined my favourite show.”

The two protesters were taken off stage by security, and the rest of the day’s presentations went without disruption.

Hollie-May Saker in the Nina Ricci show, before the two protesters came onto the runway. Photo by Yannis Valmos.