condom couture fashion show brings creativity and sexual health education to denver through one® project condom

When most people think about sex education, fashion may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But this spring in Denver, Colorado, we saw creativity, community, and safer sex awareness come together on the runway during a condom couture fashion show hosted by The Empowerment Program through the ONE® Project Condom program.

More than a fashion show, the event served as a creative platform for sexual health education and community engagement. By transforming external condoms into wearable art, participants encouraged conversations about safer sex, challenged stigma, and demonstrated how creativity can make important public health messages more engaging and approachable.

For its first-ever condom fashion show event, The Empowerment Program brought local designers, models, and community members together for an afternoon of creativity and sexual health awareness. Hosted at the WellPower Dahlia Campus in Denver, the event featured original latex couture pieces.

ONE® Project Condom is a community program that ONE® Condoms has hosted since 2008 by partnering with community organizations, student groups, artists, and advocates to bring sexual health awareness to life through creativity, conversation, and community engagement. Through the program, participants create condom couture garments and host runway-style events that use fashion as a platform for education and advocacy.

Participants design garments using colorful non-lubricated condoms provided by ONE®, then showcase their creations in runway-style events that encourage conversation. The result is an engaging experience that transforms education into something visual, memorable, and impactful. As a brand, ONE® Condoms believes in using art and creativity as a medium to spark conversations. 

To participate, organizations go through a straightforward application process. Once approved and connected with one of ONE® Project Condom coordinators and works directly with the host organization to coordinate event planning and logistics, including shipping program materials and providing guidance throughout the planning process. From there, organizers take the lead in recruiting local designers or design teams shaping the creative direction of their event, and engaging their community. Design teams bring their ideas to life by constructing garments using the condoms provided, turning public health messaging into expressive, wearable art.

Throughout the process, ONE® provides ongoing support while allowing each organization the flexibility to tailor the event to their community’s needs, partners, and goals ensuring every Project Condom fashion show is unique while staying rooted in sex education and community engagement.

Meet the Event Organizers

For its inaugural Condom Couture Fashion Show, The Empowerment Program welcomed both staff members and program participants to become designers, giving anyone interested the opportunity to create an original look. Rather than selecting professional fashion designers or requiring previous experience, the organization embraced an open and inclusive approach that reflected its mission of empowerment and community participation.

Executive Director Elizabeth Fisher and her team envisioned the event as a fun, family-friendly way to introduce more people to The Empowerment Program while reinforcing an important message: it is never too early to begin learning about the benefits of condoms and sexual health education. Although attendance was smaller than anticipated, organizers shared that those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event and appreciated the creative approach to discussing safer sex.

Event Highlights

Hosted at the WellPower Dahlia Campus in Denver, Colorado, the Condom Couture Fashion Show featured original condom couture garments designed by individual staff members and participants using colorful condoms donated through the ONE® Project Condom program.

The event also served as a fundraiser for The Empowerment Program while bringing together local community organizations that support health, housing, and LGBTQ+ services. Community partners included The Delores Project and The Center on Colfax, giving attendees additional opportunities to learn about local resources and community programs.

Throughout the afternoon, guests could visit a dedicated resource table featuring complimentary ONE® products, including condoms, lubricants, condom carry cases, and other educational materials. The combination of wearable art, health education, and community outreach created a welcoming environment where conversations about sexual wellness happened naturally.

Although only a handful of garments were showcased during this year's event, each design reflected the creativity and enthusiasm of its creator. Organizers intentionally left the design process open-ended without assigning a specific theme, allowing participants complete artistic freedom. Looking ahead, they hope to introduce a creative theme for future shows to inspire even more elaborate designs.

Building Community Through Creative Sexual Health Education

One of the reasons condom fashion shows continue to gain popularity is their ability to present sexual health education in a format that feels engaging rather than intimidating. Instead of relying solely on presentations or educational pamphlets, Project Condom events invite audiences to experience conversations around safer sex through fashion, art, storytelling, and community participation.

Fashion naturally sparks curiosity. When attendees see garments constructed from colorful condoms, questions follow and those questions often lead to meaningful conversations about HIV and STI prevention, condom accessibility, reproductive health, and healthy relationships. By blending education with creativity, organizations are able to connect with audiences that may not otherwise attend a traditional health education event.

This approach also encourages collaboration between artists, nonprofit organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, and community advocates, demonstrating that public health outreach can take many different forms.

How to Host a Condom Fashion Show Through ONE® Project Condom

Organizations interested in hosting their own condom fashion show can apply here or through the ONE® Project Condom web page. The initiative is designed for nonprofits, colleges and universities community organizations, LGBTQ+ centers, HIV prevention organizations, student groups, and other advocates interested in promoting sexual health education through creative programming.

After applying and receiving a confirmation email from one of our program coordinators, selected groups will receive detailed instruction on the next steps and coordination process. Additionally, organizers receive condoms for garment construction, promotional materials, event planning support, and guidance from the Project Condom team. Each organization is encouraged to customize its event by providing its own venue, recruiting designers, selecting judges or models, selecting a theme, incorporating fundraising opportunities, and partnering with local organizations that align with its mission.

Because every community has unique needs, no two Project Condom events are exactly alike. Some feature elaborate runway productions with dozens of designers, while others focus on intimate community engagement and educational outreach. The flexibility of the program allows organizations to create events that best serve their audiences while advancing conversations around safer sex and public health.

Using Fashion and Art to Promote Sex Ed

Fashion has long been used as a form of self-expression, advocacy, and social commentary. Through programs like ONE® Project Condom, it also becomes a powerful educational tool.

Condom couture transforms an everyday prevention product into wearable art, encouraging viewers to think differently about sexual health. Rather than focusing on fear or stigma, these events celebrate creativity, confidence, body positivity, and community connection while reinforcing the importance of safer sex practices.

For many attendees, a condom fashion show becomes the starting point for conversations that continue long after the runway ends. Whether someone leaves with free condoms, discovers a local health resource, supports a nonprofit fundraiser, or simply gains a new perspective on sexual health education, the experience creates lasting impact.

As The Empowerment Program prepares for next year's event, organizers are already looking forward to expanding participation, introducing new design themes, and welcoming even more members of the Denver community to celebrate creativity in support of sexual health education.

Additional Community Programs

ONE® believes in creating programs that allow everyone to become advocates for sexual health. In addition to the ONE® Project Condom fashion shows, here’s other programs you can check out and join: 

• ONE® Momentum: Join the loyalty program! People complete challenges for points, and then can use their points to redeem free condoms, lube and swag on the ONE website. Sign up: onecondoms.com/momentum

• ONE® College Ambassadors: Be THAT sex nerd on campus. Selected students receive training and then free condoms and sexual health supplies to distribute on campus. Learn more: onecondoms.com/ambassadors

• ONE® on Stage: ONE® works with garage bands, up-and-coming bands, and musicians. They receive free condom cases with their band logo, and then distribute those at concerts and shows. Over 250 bands & counting! Learn more: onecondoms.com/oneonstage

• Team ONE®: Are you in an intramural, campus, or other social sports club? Let ONE® be your ultimate assist. Teams receive ONE® Condom cases with their logo that they can hand out at events. Learn more at onecondoms.com/teamone

• Art of ONE®: ONE® is known for its cheeky, round condom wrapper designs featuring art from designers from around the world. Learn more at onecondoms.com/artofone. Are you the next Rembrandt of Rubber? Submit a condom wrapper design, such as a digital design, a photo of your pet, a painting, etc. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. If your design is selected, you’ll receive payment and free condoms featuring your design.  Interested in submitting your portfolio instead? We’re always looking to build our network of freelance creatives to work with from design to photography and more.