There was a time when a model had to prove herself on every parameter to make a place in the industry. Fortunately, those days are largely over. Bless the campaigns that promote positivity in the field of modeling. Although today plus size models are becoming quite common, white colored models are still in high demand. This is what made 34 year old Bishamber Das special. The daughter of Indian Punjabi and Malaysian parents, Das hopes that the success she is experiencing will open modeling doors for other South Asians who want to make their own unique contribution to the modeling world. Bishamber embraced her mixed identity and incorporated her culture and heritage into her career as a model. But she’s not just making her mark on her looks; She also has degrees in law and criminology and speaks five languages fluently.
goal of promoting diversity
It’s not easy being an Asian influencer when most models are Caucasian. So how does Das deal with the pressure of being the first Asian plus-size model, and what are the benefits? She has said in one of her interviews that she loves all of her work because it gives her the courage to spread positivity and combat body shame, especially where people are not familiar with plus size modeling. There are two things that particularly frustrate him. The first is that all the major brands claim inclusivity and diversity, yet there are only one or two Black models representing their brands. This is proof that these things are just for saying. Second, that they never include South Asians in their campaigns, which shows that a lot of work still needs to be done.
personal conflict
She has admitted that her obsession with achieving extremely rigorous beauty standards has had a negative impact on her personal life. The songs you hear on the radio, and the videos you watch on YouTube emphasize the need for a woman’s body shape to have big buttocks and a thin waist. Advertisements all over the world emphasize blue eyes and blonde hair. Das says that the need to be extremely thin had a very negative impact on him. The situation became such that she started feeling worthless and even started thinking about suicide. He had not disclosed these struggles till recently. She feels it is very important to voice these sentiments because she feels it is her responsibility to ensure that no one, whether young or old, male or female, plus size or anyone else, feels that they have nothing to contribute to society. They find solace in the fact that over time the Asian community has accepted and embraced them.
unprecedented achievements
Bishamber has already made some notable achievements. Without any modeling experience, she managed to become runner-up in her first beauty pageant. She represented Britain as the only plus-size woman in the competition and competed against contestants from nine European countries. This was an unforgettable life-changing moment for Das. He suddenly found the purpose of his life, which represents those who feel that there is no one to raise their voice. She wants youth, especially, to ignore those who tell them what they should look like. Instead, focus on the only thing that matters and that is how you feel.
Focus on mind, body and spirit
Bishamber isn’t trying to pretend that she has all the answers to the body awareness campaign, but she still understands that when people from other South Asian countries look at her, they all feel like they too can find success in the modeling world and beyond. Life finds its true purpose only when we start accepting ourselves and try to know who we are; And having people like Das shows that nothing is impossible. Ultimately what makes the society beautiful is the positive energy we have and the way we behave with others. If you dream of following in their footsteps, you should not only focus on your healthy body, but you should also make sure that you spend equal time on keeping your mind and soul healthy.
