The Indian Fashion Brand Using Transgender Models To Break Down Stigmas
An Indian fashion designer has used transgender women to model her latest collection [Photo: Red Lotus]
An Indian fashion designer is breaking down stereotypes and challenging the way people in India see transgender women with a line of saris modelled by trans women.
Designer Sharmila Nair has named her collection Mazhavil, the local word for rainbow. “Since the LGBT community is represented by the rainbow flag,” Nair told Mashable. “I thought why not give my collection the same shades and use all the colours of the rainbow.”
Made under her brand Red Lotus, the saris are made from Hubli cotton that has been dyed with rich natural colours, and paired with printed blouses.
The designer hopes the shoot will help break down stigmas [Photo: Facebook/Red Lotus]
After reading a Facebook post about the Kerala government’s groundbreaking equal rights policy for transgender people, Sharmila was inspired to do her bit for inclusion.
Teaming with transgender rights organisation, Queerela, she was put in touch with rookie models Maya Menon and Gowri Savithri who, despite being nervous about taking part at first, were ultimately thrilled to be involved in the project.
The shoot is fast winning hearts for its inclusive message [Facebook: Red Lotus]
Sharmila now hopes the campaign will help to humanise and raise the profile of trans women in India.
“It should really open up more opportunities for transgender [people],” she told Fusion. “People should break the ice.”
What do you think of the collection? Let us know @YahooStyleUK
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