What is Project REDSOKS?
Project REDSOKS is an artistic movement raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. It draws its inspiration from the life of Gia Carangi—the first modern supermodel—who defined fashion for a generation but was subsequently demonized for contracting AIDS via intravenous drug use. All the REDSOKS photographs feature women displaying their strength wearing solely red socks, and 20% of all proceeds from sales go to charities promoting AIDS awareness and prevention.
This is a story about the strength, beauty, and vitality of people pushed to the edges showing solidarity and courage, fighting for a cause, and persevering when people tell them to give up.
Who was Gia?
Gia Carangi was an ordinary "kid" from Philly who became the world’s first supermodel. She was also openly gay and became an icon for people everywhere who were labeled as different. She obtained "supermodel"status quickly,gracing the fashion covers including Vogue and Cosmopolitan.
In 1984, she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS which was considered a “gay men’s disease” at the time. She had contracted it through IV drug use and was one of the first women ever to be diagnosed with it in North America. Through her diagnosis,Gia also helped make it known that IV drugs could also be the cause of people getting this dreaded disease.
She then went from Vogue covers to wiped off the map in the blink of an eye.
Gia touched millions of lives, and she died fighting for awareness of HIV/AIDS, saying “We have to tell the kids how I got this!”
She died at the young age of 26 in 1986.
.....Project REDSOKS aims to pick up where Gia left off.
Why is Project REDSOKS for profit?
We are independent artists working to live. The only way we can continue Project REDSOKS is to keep it for-profit until we can find outside funding.We are currently seeking sponsorship to enable us to do that. Contact Rayzor if you would like to be one of those special heroes to the project!
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Artist Contributions to Project REDSOKS
Below is a contribution to the project and tribute to Gia by Artist/Poet(and friend) Diego Valdez
Gia Marie Carangi God created the woman
the fashion industry her name
the time / a legend
Gia
Even we need your glance
Like the night the reflexes from the moon
Like the heaven the sunset
Like the sand on the beach
needs the secrets hidden in the ocean depths
to inspire the lovers......
Let´s observe a minute´s silence
Even we miss your body
Like the life / the air
like the time / your name
like the sex / the skin ….
Even we have the image
your images
Your letters, your words, your face, some videos
you know
the beautiful memories
And because a model it’s about having a fashion and edgy look
Forever GIA
You´ll have a place
inside our hearts
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Letter to you - Gia Marie Carangi
Written by Diego VALDEZ