Anjali Lama, the First Transgender Model to Walk at Lakmé Fashion Week: Gender Shouldn’t ‘Matter’

Anjali Lama made history today as the first transgender model to hit the runway for Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai. Wearing an original design from Monisha Jaising’s new couture collection, she strutted atop a luxury cruise ship in India for the official kickoff to Lakmé Fashion Week‘s upcoming Summer/Resort 2017 shows, which begin on Feb. 1.

While Lama has walked other runways and graced the covers of magazines, this fashion show is different.

“This is the first time in Lakmé’s 18-year history that any transgender came for an audition and made it,” she told Yahoo Beauty. “This is an international show, and hundreds of models wish to be a part of this, and it was the same with me. Being chosen has given me lots of motivation and encouragement to make those that believe in me proud.”

And proud Lama was, as she walked down the ramp of the ship outfitted in an intricate gold dress that featured a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. Her makeup was fresh and neutral, with a beautiful bronzed contour.

Lama was born Nabin Wabia into a farming family in Nuwakot, Nepal. Her modeling story is enduring and tenacious. While battling societal expectations, she continued to challenge her community to understand that transgender people have much to add to the beauty conversation.

The road to transgender and transsexual rights in Nepal and India has not been easy, yet it has been progressive. In India, the Supreme Court decided in 2014 to recognize a third gender that is neither male or female. Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled back in 2007 that the new democratic government had to create laws to protect LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) rights and change any existing discriminatory legislation against them. In that same year, Lama participated in a beauty pageant, officially solidifying her position as a model.

Lama’s career really took off in 2009 when a national magazine in Nepal, Voice of Women, featured her in a photo shoot about Kathmandu’s transgender community. But after being rejected three times from participation in Nepal’s premier fashion week, she set her eyes on scoring a spot in Lakmé Fashion Week. While she didn’t make the cut last year, Lama’s dream finally came true.

The organizations behind Lakmé Fashion Week believe this representation is a step in the right direction.

“A key focus for the Lakmé Fashion Week is to push for greater inclusivity in fashion, whether the plus-size initiative last season or having Anjali and Petr (an international gender-neutral model) as part of the model pool this season,” said Jaspreet Chandok, the head of fashion at IMG Reliance. “We feel that the business of fashion and beauty can only grow if it includes rather than excludes.”

Lama is especially excited to see how this monumental moment will impact her modeling career. “[Walking in Lakmé’s Fashion Show] gave me further encouragement, simply based off the name,” she said. “The city of Mumbai has given me hope, so I plan to join an agency here and try to do other international shows as well.”

She also hopes this milestone will empower others to achieve their goals, and that brands and companies will change how they view the LGBTI community. “I think if you are good at what you do or have potential and talent, then gender isn’t a matter. Or it shouldn’t be,” Lama said.

As Lama continues to break down barriers within the fashion industry, we are sure her resilient spirit will challenge us all to understand that beauty has no age, race, or gender.

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