WINDS OF CHANGE

As we tumble towards a more inclusive, ideal world view, with more representation and diversity in fashion, media, and entertainment, we ask ourselves - how far have we really come? How much further do we have to go? What are some of the inclusive labels we are embracing? Harper's Bazaar India takes a look within the fashion industry, and speaks to some of the most unique faces, bodies - and voices-on the ramp and off.

- PRIYA KUMARI RANA

As Kunal Rawal’s presentation, ‘Pride in Celebrating Diversity by Defying Labels’, got underway for the final show of the Blenders Pride Glassware Tour 2022, one couldn’t help but notice how far the fashion industry has come. Models of all shapes, sizes, colours, and ages walked nonchalantly to an upbeat tempo (and later to the melodious live tracks of Harrdy Sandhu)—perfectly at home in the designer’s textured, woven creations. One could spot Toshada, the diminutive, buzz-cut blogger-turned-model in an oversize, louche black jacket and pants combo, as well as, up-and-coming transgender model Kenny Awomi.

Celebrating diversity and inclusivity is au courant today—with all the social media barometers pointing to this trend—but hopefully here to stay, and not just a fleeting love affair with being politically correct. For designers, it is a chance to up their game, and be seen as all-embracing towards a more realistic showcase that reflects who their clientele really is. “If you see Indian women, the majority of them are mid-size,” says Aayushi Badheka, a Mumbai-based Model and Content Creator represented by Inega. “I had to speak up about mid-size fashion. You’ve heard about plus-size fashion, so one should include mid-size as well... I would want more inclusivity.”