We all know how tough the modelling or the fashion world is. It’s competitive, it’s bitchy and not so glamorous. To stay in business the models need to be fit and skinny. Age is another factor associated with glamour. If you’re in your 30s, not skinny or have kids, it’s assumed your game is gone.
I remember this incident long back when I was showcasing my final collection as a student of Pearl Academy in Delhi. A very well known model and Miss India (name not shared for her privacy) of her times was given a dress but she wanted to wear the showstopper’s dress. We tried explaining her politely that we will give her another dress suitable to her size. She was not fat but she was not skinny and the showstopper’s dress was a size small. She however, took the dress away and tried to fit herself in and in that struggle, she got an anxiety attack and broke down in front of everyone. She walked behind the showstopper in that show. This incident opened my eyes to the ugly truth of the fashion world.
Today, I am so proud to say that this world is changing it is conjuring it’s own new rules and that has more essence of the real world in it. This fashion week broke so many such norms.
While Deepa Gurnani and Nor Black Nor White had non-models like stylists, bloggers and even hairdressers, in all body types, walking the ramp, it was Gaurang Shah’s show that stole the limelight he had a pregnant Carol Gracias to walk the ramp in a saree flaunting her baby bump. He took a huge risk by doing that. Infact, there was a little bit of shock at the venue when she walked in, but then people soon got over their initial shock and started applauding. It was endearing to see.
Being a mom doesn’t mean you stop following your dreams or putting your life to a standstill. I did not go to the fashion week, seeking for mommy stories, but they came to me.
When Designer Karishma Shahani of (Ka) (Sha) label walked with confidence and ease on the ramp with her four-month-old baby, she defied some stereotypes. Who says a new mom can’t pave her way into the fashion industry? Infact, when we met her and questioned her, she shared that she had done the last two seasons in her pregnancy and so this is something she and her baby have been able to pull off. Her clothes have a bohemian vibe and a certain sense of freedom to them just like her. They are layered and display a nomadic idiom.
Talking about her brand identity and vision Karishma shared,
“We focus on merging art with sustainability, our label strives to follow fair trade practices, procure quality produce and adheres to a strict zero-waste policy.”
Check out our interview with her.
We salute you moms for breaking all stereotypes and rocking the fashion week.
