Move over Supermodels who look nothing like “real women” with their waif-like figures, pouty lips and chiseled bone structure – a fashion show just took place in India where the models were blind.
Glittering in beautiful Indian dress, more than 30 lovely blind models strutted down the ramp with ease in a fashion show held in Ahmedabad, western India.
The models, who were local young women, also did their own make-up and wardrobe changes, and participated in a week-long training course on grooming and essential modeling techniques, such as how to walk down the catwalk.
Organisers of the unique event explained their reasoning behind it- to fight stereotypes of disabled people. In India, many of its 22 million disabled people face discrimination and are not awarded equal rights.
“I cannot see how I am looking in the new clothes but I am having a good time,” said 23-year-old participant, Ekta.
“I would hear about fashion shows and designer clothes on the television, but never dreamt of walking like models do,” she said, as she draped a sequined, green sari over her shoulder.
“Blind people are not considered as a part of society, they are given boring and menial jobs to isolate them from the glamorous and exciting world,” said Mukta Dagli from Pragya Chakshu Sanstha, a local charity for the visually impaired.
“We want to bring the blind out of a dull dark life. Now let the world see them.”
“We are young, beautiful and hope to do more shows to gain confidence to fight the darkness of our lives,” said 25-year-old Shweta Kothari.
[tags]blind models, fashion, India[/tags]
