The international fashion scene is a different ball game altogether. When Nepali models and designers go international, they need to make a certain leap of faith, to let go of everything that’s holding them back, and to embrace failure before success comes knocking at their doorsteps. Here we look at three Nepalis who have made it big outside Nepal and inspired a new generation of fashionistas.
1.
Anjali Lama
Anjali Lama, she is also known as the first transgender model to ever walk the ramp at the Lakme Fashion week in India. Born as Navin Waiba to a family in Nuwakot, she a sterling example of the victory of ambition over circumstances. Prior to her recognition worldwide, she faced a major setback in 2005 when she decided to come out to her family and friends.
She says that she had been boycotted by society and that made her choose Blue Diamond Society (the LGBT supporting organisation of Nepal) as her workplace from 2006 to 2016. It was only after she bagged the cover shoot for a magazine called ‘Voice of Women’ in 2009 that her friends believed that she was blessed with her poise and unconventional looks and that she shouldn’t stick only to the Nepali modelling industry.
Battling many rejections, Anjali took all her failures as motivation to soldier on. Consequently, she won a spot on the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort model roster this year. Asked about her achievement, she humbly puts it this way, “Lakme Fashion week is serendipity for me. It wasn’t a pre-meditated plan. I believe I was only following my dreams. However, I’d like to say that I’m thrilled about this opportunity.”
Anjali Lama is now busy with Fashion Weeks in India and says she has no further plans of going international as of now.
2.
Arpana Rayamajhi
‘Hardwork’ and ‘luck’ are the two things that helped the New York-based Nepali designer, Arpana Rayamajhi succeed. “While I was broke and attending a heady art school, I decided to do something for myself and it snowballed from there,” says the talented designer in conversation. She further adds, “I think it has got to do more with the memories of my mother. I think I’m beginning to realise why I make jewels; I think I miss home a lot and it’s a way to honour my mother’s memories who had gifted me a pair of silver anklets back in the first year of school.”
As a jewellery designer, she makes pieces for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, has landed editorial placements in international editions of Vogue, modelled for ‘L’Oreal’ and ‘Urban Outfitters’ and a list of other achievements. The most surprising thing is that she has made all of this happen without a team of agents or PR professionals.
3.
Oshima Banu
Born to a Hindu mother and Muslim father, Oshima Banu, admits that her life hadn’t always easy. A six-and-a-half year-long battle and an inexhaustible support from her mother brought her where she is today. Being a Muslim in a Hindu-dominated country and that too taking up showbiz, she opines, is not easy.
“Winning the ‘Face of Classic Diamond 2013’ has been a landmark in my career. It helped me get recognition throughout Nepal so much so that I also got to entertain a host of shooting opportunities for Indian magazines,” says Banu.
She dismisses any pompous disposition regarding her title of ‘the first Muslim model of Nepal’ and wants people to love her for her work more than anything else. She is overjoyed about the kind of impact she has made on girls, especially those of different cultural backgrounds.
Oshima, now busy promoting her upcoming movie, Romeo in Nepalgunj, accompanied by her mother, her biggest critic and muse.
