Breaking the Chains Foundation is partnering with Glitter Magazine’s #SelfLoveCampaign and Be Brilliant Bags to help celebrate the inner beauty and self-love in every person affected by eating disorders, by unmasking the stigma and informing public perception.

We would love for you to join Jillian Rose Reed, Carolyn Hennesy, Zoe Fowler, Kathryn McCormick, Alli Simpson, Asia Monet, Coco Jones, Brielle Barbusca, and many more as we celebrate self-love and recovery!

BREAKING THE CHAINS FOUNDATION MISSION: Breaking the Chains is a unified global non-profit foundation using art as the process to unmask the stigma of individuals affected by eating disorders. Creative genres like film, painting, poetry, music and dance will inspire the global community to use art as an outlet for the darkness that lies dormant. One by one, hand in hand, we will champion the rediscovery of self-love, self-acceptance and respect sharing a healing journey that will break the chains, one link at a time.

Through the art of fashion, Breaking the Chains Foundation has partnered with Be Brilliant Bags to create the Brilliant Freedom Tote, which generates $100 for each bag sold will be given to the foundation. The tote is adorned with a wearable piece of art — a three-charm necklace, designed by actress/author Carolyn Hennessy that tells the story of the struggle and ultimate freedom that someone with an eating disorder experiences. The Brilliant Freedom Tote is also made available as a GIVE to women in recovery. It serves as a lifestyle tote that includes a variety of artistic tools that will encourage self-discovery as women continue their recovery after completing in-patient treatment.

Instagram: @breakingthechainsfdn

Twitter: @4BreakingChains

breakingthechainsfoundation.org

Glitter/BTCF/BB Exclusive
BB GIVE CAMPAIGN

FREEDOM TOTE

Some of my favorite pictures from the event. Thanks Noelle Cope for taking these!

EVENT SPONSORS
Glitter Magazine, Be Brilliant Bags, Good Celebrity, NOLA Chef Gason, The Chef and the Dish, V3 Water, Pura Naturals, Hnina Gourmet Chocolates, Lolita Cupcakes, Slim Chillers, Chalk Preschool, Platform 44, Margi Kent Studio, Curt Darling Salon, Cynthia Bachman Brown, Glitter Guru, and Abi Ann Music.

http://www.bebrilliantbags.com/products/brilliant-freedom-tote http://www.bebrilliantbags.com/pages/give-back

All ticket sale proceeds and 100.00 from each Brilliant Freedom Tote sold going to BTCF awareness, prevention, recovery outreach programs and campaigns for those suffering from eating disorders.

In an effort to spread awareness about the importance of a positive self-image, Glitter Magazine launched a global campaign called #SelfLoveCampaign© Glitter has invited celebrities and real people to join the movement by sharing what self-love means to them. #SelfLoveCampaign© Glitter is raising money for various charities and partnered with Breaking the Chains Foundation to bring recovery from eating disorders, through the promotion of self-love.

Q&A with founder of Breaking the Chains, Debra Hopkins…

TB: When/why did you start Breaking the Chains? Why is this cause important to you?

DH: I started Breaking The Chains Foundation because I myself suffered from an eating disorder at a young age. I am an accomplished dancer, actress, as well as a writer and I knew that in order to bring forth the real core of what one goes through with an eating disorder, I had to do it through the most unique, engaging, heart/thought/body/soul/spirit process and that is through art! I knew as a dancer, I felt the best about myself, when I was internally expressing myself, it was healing. There was something to it and I always knew that if in bringing such a dormant, hidden, shameful disease to the forefront of it’s healing process, changing the public perception to dig deeper, and to change the conversation of eating disorders, then I had to change the face of eating disorders to remove the stigma attached. Art is inspiration, no matter what it is – good, bad, indifferent – it makes us think and feel – it brings forth the dormant and brings forth a whole other heart/thought process that engages others on a whole new level. Eating disorders are such a shameful, hidden disease. I needed to remove that stigma, so people would view them in a whole new light. Through art, the conversation piece has changed, it’s become relatable, acceptable and engaging to talk about eating disorders because we are communicating through something everyone can relate to and that’s art. It is proven that those suffering from eating disorders are artistic geninues, so let’s use that, let’s use art and inspirational tools to aide in the healing and recovery process! It now has become alive and we can focus on the amazing process of unmasking the internal and celebrate it through a process that is ultimately a way to break the chains because no one ever has to feel like they are alone in this disease, no one! If 30 million people suffer and it’s raising at alarming rates, then certainly they are not alone!

“I knew as a dancer, I felt the best about myself, when I was internally expressing myself, it was healing.” Debra Hopkins

TB: Can you tell me about the name “Breaking the Chains” – who came up with it, what’s the inspiration behind it?

DH: I came up with the name Breaking the Chains. I have a feature length script I have written called Chained and Bound about eating disorders. I have a very strong faith in God and through my own healing process with prayer, this is what was confirmed to me. Eating disorders are a chained and bound existence that no one should ever go through, so breaking the chains seemed to be the right name and form of expression for my foundation.

TB: What do you hope to accomplish with BTC? What are your goals for the non-profit?

DH: Well, that’s a loaded question because I would have to say everything! My foundation is all about changing the stigma of eating disorders, changing the conversation and changing the face of eating disorders and there is a lot of work to be done! BTCF raises awareness through campaigns and programs through art. I have an amazing board of directors! Each one of them came on my board for a reason and what they each do is outstanding! I have programs that we are working on to bring into facilities and hospitals for those suffering and their loved ones. My foundation is an artistic forum, and we create projects – whether that be scripts, films, books, CD’s, dance, art, music or any art form, I myself create and so do some of my other board members. I am always looking for new content that aligns with my mission. I am beginning to partner with like minded businesses and/or other charities. I have a young Hollywood prevention campaign that I have developed and planning some really cool stuff with that. I have partnered with Be Brilliant Bags, creating the Brilliant Freedom Tote that Carolyn Hennesy did the jewerly design for which will continue to be a constant for my foundation. It’s a life-style tote filled with artistic tools in which we will be gifting girls coming out of post recovery programs to continue their healing process using art as part of their journey. I have other events that are in the work as well. We have only just begun! Having our first event and having the support of Glitter Magazine was simply awesome! Partnering with them on this allowed my foundation to reach so many people because of their amazing self-love campaign went hand and hand with my foundation’s mission. They themselves have such a positive, strong message that my foundation is blessed to share in. An example of more to come!