Laxmi is the new face of the Indian apparel company, Viva N Diva, and she represents much more than just a clothing brand. As an acid attack survivor, Laxmi is a symbol of bravery, courage, beauty, and women’s empowerment.
At 15, Laxmi was attacked by a man 17 years her senior for refusing his marriage proposal. But Laxmi isn’t letting her past get in the way of her future. The 26-year-old is a powerful advocate against the unregulated sale of acid and the victimization of acid attack survivors in India.
As a model for Viva N Diva’s “Face of Courage” campaign", Laxmi now has the perfect platform for voicing her message. “This opportunity to represent an apparel brand was a platform for me to set an example for women like me to be confident and have courage despite their physical appearances,” she told BBC.
The “Face of Courage” campaign was started by Rupesh Jhawar, co-founder of Viva N Diva, and aims to redefine the concept of beauty. Jhawar explained to BBC that he’s hoping to change the way people view the fashion industry, ”by spreading awareness that beauty is beyond mere physical attributes.”
Instead of concealing their scars and accepting their victimization, together, Jhawar and Laxmi are encouraging acid attack survivors to embrace - even flaunt - their appearance. After all, what can be more beautiful than courage?
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