ELEGANTEES’ MISSION
“Sarah” is a very sweet and shy
young lady who lived in a rural and
very poor area of Mexico, until she
fell in love. She married a man who
told her she'd have a better life in
America with him. That happiness
quickly turned to excruciating pain
when she realized she was taken to
the US only to be forced into
prostitution. Her husband was part of
a vast network of men that
romanced vulnerable women and
convinced them to move to New
York City, then would trade them to
a pimp.
Difficult to believe in today’s
western society, but sadly very true.
Sarah was rescued by law
enforcement and was taken to an
organization called Restore NYC. She
lived in a safehouse for a year and
made progress in her journey of
healing. She has been taking ESL
classes, is learning to read and write
both Spanish and English.
Sarah said, "Since my first day at
Restore's safehouse, my life has
changed in many ways. I never
thought I could have a different life
and now I have a life, and have
different opportunities to learn and
do many things. Things I never
imagined." Sarah has done very well
and graduated from Restore's
restoration program in 2013.
Elegantees fights to rescue, protect,
and restore those in slavery. Every
purchase goes into employing more
women rescued from trafficking to
give a hope and a future to them. In
providing sewing jobs, Elegantees
gives the women a positive source of
income that reinforces a healthy self-
image.
Today, the company employs Sarah,
and two other women that share a
similar story of exploitation. In
providing sewing jobs, the company
gives a positive source of income that
reinforces a healthy self-image. They
pay double the sewing price they'd
pay using an existing local factory.
Designed by Katie Martinez,
elegantees are designed to be as
effortless as the every-day jeans and
tee-shirt routine, but at the same
time, make women look and feel
glamorous. The company’s dream
goes beyond sewing. After they
break even and are able to fairly pay
their volunteer staff, they plan to be
a business that helps fund other
organizations that are rescuing and
restoring victims of human
trafficking.
It’s a huge dream, but Katie Martinez
i