article_snippet.sent: Donning stilettos, lipstick and mascara, the young men take to the streets of one of Washington DC's most violent neighborhoods.
article_snippet.sent: But under their clothing - and in some cases, in their Louis Vuitton bags - their are carrying knives, brass knuckles and pepper spray.
article_snippet.sent: The film, also named Check It, explains how many of the youths have been stabbed or shot at, while others have served time in juvenile prisons .
article_snippet.sent: But now, the 'tight-knit' gang members, who are aged 14 to 22, are fighting to break the cycle of poverty and violence that the 'tight-knit' gang members, who are aged 14 to 22 have grown up in.
article_snippet.sent: The gang members, many of whom have been stabbed and shot at, have faced discrimination throughout The gang members, many of whom have been stabbed and shot lives .
article_snippet.sent: The gang members, many of whom have been stabbed and shot are now the subjects of a new independent film, which tells of how some of The gang members, many of whom have been stabbed and shot have served time in juvenile prisons .
article_snippet.sent: But now, the 'tight-knit' gang members (including this member), who are aged 14 to 22, are fighting to break the cycle of poverty and violence that they have grown up in.
article_snippet.sent: Contrast: Documentary describes how the gang members have to deal with violence and fights on a regular basis (left) but have now launched the gang members own fashion label (right: a youth models for the label) in a bid to escape the gang members 'often brutal' lives in Trinidad, Washington DC .
article_snippet.sent: the gang members have set up the gang members and are putting on fashion shows in the north-east neighborhood, according to the film and an Indiegogo page.
article_snippet.sent: And some of the gang members are even working stints as runway models.
article_snippet.sent: Violence to fashion: Gang members are pictured getting into a fight (left), and participating in a fashion show (right) in the film .