Face of fashion empowers all to embrace natural beauty
An anti-bullying activist and body confidence promoter says the ‘jokes are on the bullies’ after living out her dream and modelling on a catwalk last weekend.
Harnaam Kaur, from Slough, has suffered from a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome since she was a young girl, causing her to grow excess facial hair.
After years of attempting to hide the hair in her youth, which involved up to three waxes a week, the 25-year-old now embraces her ‘natural look’ and is a campaigner for others to do the same.
Last week, Harnaam opened for the Marianna Harutunian Royal Fashion Day show, taking to the catwalk in a blue sleeveless dress above the knee, black ankle boots and her traditional Sikh turban.
Writing on Instagram following the show, the inspirational model said it was a day she never thought would happen when growing up.
“I grew up watching America’s next top model, and I admired Tyra Banks whole heartedly,” Kaur wrote.
“I always wanted to be like the pretty models, so I remember copying the way they posed and walked. I grew up being told I was to [sic] fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model… I used to look at models and tell myself that I will never ever be able to do what they are doing.
“I am not pretty enough or beautiful enough and I don’t have the ‘right’ body type.”
She continued: “I was laughed at when I said I wanted to model. Jokes on my bullies.
“I was lucky enough to walk for @mariannaharutunian as the first bearded lady to walk for a celebrity jewellery designer.
“I was humbled to be the first model to walk and open the show for #royalfashionday with the portrait of the legendary #davidbowie looking down on me.”
Three months ago, Harnaam joined Tess Holliday’s anti-body shaming team, modelling for Urban Bridesmaid Photography in a number of photos which went viral.
Are you female and hirsute? Well, just follow suit.