Girls Like Us

As a fierce (and much-needed) movement, inclusivity has grabbed the steering wheel and made everyone sit up and take notice. Prachiti Parakh met with Toshada, a vibrant model, who also happens to be petite at 142cm and braves alopecia, and Sunaina Khera, a young designer who is making waves with creations she describes as humble-glam

As we set up shots and test lighting, Toshada walks into the studio and what instantly strikes us is her gait—confident and determined. Behind her is Sunaina, our designer who is exuding excitement to dress an unconventional model. Both form a portrait of a hopeful future, not just in the fashion industry, but perhaps in our society as well.

In favour of odds

The fashion industry is a pioneer of inclusivity. In the recently concluded Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2018, the label Chola by Sohaya Misra displayed transgender dressing on the ramp, and labels Half Full Curve and aLL-The Plus Size store showcased diverse model sizing. Over time, however, biases have crept in against people who do not fit into the 36-24-36 mould.

Khera says, “For the longest time, mainstream media has been reserved for women who look a certain way— models who are tall, thin, with flawless skin. But what we, as businesses, and even as people in general, have failed to address is that women who consume this media are not perfect. They are real, raw, and diverse. The idea to include an unconventional beauty like Toshada is an attempt to bridge this shocking gap, and I’m here for it.”