Hand-Me-Downs

Sarees, jewellery, and secret recipes-when you think of Indian heirlooms, a romantic montage comes to mind. Within these legacies lies an inheritance that's often overlooked-aesthetic trauma. As the years roll on, it does rear its ugly head. Think of this phenomenon as the gold beauty standard set years ago and passed down the generations from fair skin to lightly coloured eyes to poker straight hair-resulting in unrealistic societal expectations that impact mental health drastically in the long run.
Although not a commonly used term in the field of mental health, Mumbai-based psychologist Sanam Devidasani says aesthetic trauma is often related to body image issues and the insecurities that come with it. "Any difficult experiences related to one's appearance that led to some kind of trauma. It could be appearance-based bullying, discrimination, pressure to look a certain way and sexual abuse," she says.
Explaining it further, Devidasani says that this caucasian obsession dates far back to colonialism, followed by globalisation and consumerism. "Even now, when you look at the media and entertainment industry, a lot of the women who are in the forefront are all light or even-skinned, thin, tall, or are simply not Indian," she describes. This repeats the pattern of setting unrealistic beauty standards, resulting in a vicious cycle.
ROOTED IN INSECURITIES
Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Elle India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Elle India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

Summer in Thailand
From city jaunts to special island moments, the holiday destination is a crowd pleaser for good reason. Yes, even in 2025

Canberra's Quiet LUXURY
Discover how Australia's most understated city offers cultural indulgence, serene landscapes, and quiet moments of luxe calm with Ainee Nizami Ahmedi

THE BEAUTY OF What Comes After
The end doesn't have to be bleak. In this imagined future, we dissolve the borders between human and nature—ushering in a new kind of harmony

Eco-Exposé: THE TRUE COST OF Beauty
From rare botanicals to minimalist serums, Krishika Bhatia investigates the hidden carbon footprint of skincare

The MAHARANI'S Residence
The Claridges Nabha Residence in Mussoorie redefines luxury with a side of royal treatment, discovers Vaishnavi Rana

HELLO CHARLIE
Louis Vuitton's new sneaker marks an important step forward, in terms of eco-responsibility, writes Ipsita Kaul

Passion for PRE-LOVED
Manish Mishra profiles Indian vintage collectors as they recount the stories behind some of their favourite pieces

Girl UNINTERRUPTED
Navya Naveli Nanda's glass isn't half empty; it's brimming with focus, dynamism, & determination. Ismat Tahseen meets the young changemaker

SOFT POWER
A legacy spun from silk, Gucci's scarves continue to enchant, writes Ekta Sinha

HAPPY 90th CANALI!
Stefano Canali, President and CEO of Canali Group in conversation with Manish Mishra, on crafting timeless luxury and the heritage brand's 90th- anniversary capsule collection