Over the past year, the Indian fashion industry has on a number of occasions been the grounds for inclusivity, especially when we speak of the vibrant LGBTQ+ community of approximately 4.9 lakh people. Harper’s Bazaar India, for instance, made history in September when it featured transgender models on its cover for the very first time while India’s very first modelling agency for the transgender community could also soon be a reality, with your help. Most recently, Anjali Lama of Nepal, a transgender model, has been chosen to walk at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2017 in India.

Anjali was born as Navin Waiba in Nuwakot, Nepal. In an interview with Elle, Anjali said, “I tried to conform, I dressed like a boy. It was only when I left home for Kathmandu that I even found out that there were other people like me. I came out in 2005, and it was a torturous experience. I don’t want to repeat the cruel names I was called. When my family found out, they said I was dead to them. Only my mother kept contact, she gave me the strength to stand by my decision.”

Having been featured as ‘The Wonder Woman’ in Wave Magazine, Anjali auditioned for Lakme Fashion Week in 2016 and was rejected. She said, “I decided to try again and this time, I did my research. I watched videos of models walking the ramp, changed my make-up and wardrobe. I practiced posing in front of the mirror so I would be able to present myself to the judges well. And it worked.” Anjali has been selected along with four other new faces, and is officially Nepal’s first transgender model to walk at Lakme Fashion Week, from February 1st to the 5th in the coming year. She admits that her dream is to walk for Manish Malhotra—only time will tell if it all comes true!

Feature Image Courtesy Elle

Words: Tansha Vohra