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at 02:34:50 am on April 24, 2007
Miami, FL–It’s true – “Fashion does not have to be stupid” – and a new line of clothing designed and sold by former Bollywood star and activist-journalist Somy Ali http://www.somyali.com proves that it also can bring to light and help ease the problems of domestic abuse, rape and women’s rights around the world.
Using engaging words and phrases such as “Accept,” “Human Being” and “One World,” as well as iconic and diverse religious symbols, the multi-colored T-shirts, hoodies and tank tops that make up the So-Me Design line of clothing, http://www.so-medesigns.com/, connect all people and religions to one source: their common humanity.
The average price of the clothing starts at $20 for T-shirts and Ten Percent of the net profit earned from the clothing will go directly to the non-profit, “No More Tears,” http://www.nomoretearsproject.org founded by Ms. Ali to help build schools, clinics and women’s shelters nationally and internationally.
Both the clothing and No More Tears are products of Ms. Ali’s career and diverse background. Born and raised in the largely Muslim population of Karachi, Pakistan, she later moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL with her family before embarking on a modeling and acting career in India.
She successfully transformed her Bollywood film industry success into a college career in the United States, and a growing love of journalism through social and political activism.
Since her graduation in 2002 from the New York Film Academy with a degree in filmmaking, direction, script writing and editing, Ali completed three short films on abortion, domestic violence, and teenage suicide.
After earning a broadcast journalism degree from Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Ali has focused her attention on the plight of women’s rights in South Asia and is working toward bringing to the worldwide media’s attention to taboo subjects of rape and domestic abuse in countries where women do not enjoy basic human rights.
One documentary Ali produced recently concentrated on the plight of Mukhtaran Mai, who had been punished by her village council by subjecting her to gang rape. Mai made international headlines when she brought her attackers into a Pakistani court and was subsequently rewarded monetary compensation, which she then gave to charity.
“My goal is to help all of these women and make sure that every girl/woman in my country and universally is able to obtain an education and has her basic human rights,” Ali said.
Ali will return to Pakistan this summer to begin work on her latest documentary, about women who have been burned with acid in domestic abuse cases.
For more information or to arrange an interview, Ms. Ali can be reached at 954-806-0688 or SomyInc@aol.com. For more information, visit www.somyali.com.
