W
hen you picture a
survivor of
domestic abuse,
Lindsey Anderson and Janet Wagner may not fit the image that comes to mind—and that’s precisely why their stories matter so deeply.
Both women are accomplished, poised, and confident. On the surface, they appear to have it all. But beneath the polished exterior were private battles no one could see. Abuse, after all, doesn’t discriminate. It transcends race, income, education, and social status. The long-held stereotype that domestic violence only affects lower-income or uneducated women has been disproven time and again—yet it still lingers in the minds of many.
Women in affluent communities often feel an even greater pressure to hide their truth, fearful of embarrassment, judgment, or the unraveling of an image they’ve worked so hard to build. They may rationalize the abuse, minimize it, or take on the burden of trying to "fix" the situation themselves. But abuse thrives in silence—and silence is often loudest behind closed doors in the most unexpected places.
In this special feature, we share the harrowing and courageous journeys of Lindsey and Janet—two remarkable women who found the strength to leave, heal, and speak out. They are both taking the runway in the BLOSSOM Fashion Show in Chicago, a powerful event presented by WINGS, a nonprofit
dedicated to eliminating domestic violence and supporting survivors. BLOSSOM doesn’t just showcase fashion—it celebrates victors, women who have reclaimed their voice, their identity, and their lives.
This story was inspired by Tracey Meyer, herself a survivor who courageously shared her journey in a previous issue of Fete Lifestyle Magazine. I’m honored and humbled to continue this
conversation and spotlight
Lindsey and Janet in our April Fashion Issue—not just as survivors, but as symbols of resilience, beauty, and hope.
Their stories are a reminder: abuse doesn’t always look like what we expect—but survival can look like strength, like healing our wounds, like wisdom, like BLOSSOMING.