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Strutting on an improvised catwalk, sex workers have drawn a large crowd of people during a fashion show held last Wednesday in Vienna, Austria to conclude the 18th International AIDS Conference.

“Visibility of our population is very important to get less discrimination, violence and negative attitude against our group,” says the Model of the Day, Camille, a transgender sex worker.

The fashion show has been organized to raise awareness on the discrimination of sex workers and to recognize their important role for HIV prevention. It has been designed by Brazilian label Daspu, coined from “das putas,” a Portuguese term which means “from the whores.” The label has been established in 2005 by a former prostitute who is now involved in defending sex workers’ rights.

“It’s important that the sex professionals, the sex workers, know how to use condoms, and they are the best to make HIV prevention: they have contact with the clients,” says Friederike Strack who represents Davida, an association working with Daspu in Brazil.

Strack has added that the prevalence of HIV among sex workers is significantly higher than any other group in the population, but the treatment is limited in many countries. “AIDS prevention is an instrument for working,” he believes.

Joining the sex workers in the colorful fashion show are activists who are working on the same cause. Together, they model skimpy yellow shorts with thin braces as well as frilly dresses. There is also a mini-skirt over red fishnet tights. All collections are accessorized with condoms in bright packaging, which are sticking out of bodices or pockets as a reminder of the theme.