The world is moving at a fast pace and we, as a third-world country, are struggling to keep up with it. Thankfully, there are some people and organizations, who are collectively working for the betterment of our society. Islamabad’s Studio M also inspires us to take small steps towards a positive change.
The beauty salon launched a campaign a few months ago to celebrate self-love and women empowerment. Together with artist Shahnawaz Arif, they created unique statements for 6 unique models. Not only that, but the campaign also featured two trans models.
Studio M X Shahnawaz
For this year’s Valentine’s Day, the brand got together with a talented local artist, with an aim to celebrate ‘every type of beautiful’.
Our society is still not willing to accept women as who they are and the trans community is also neglected for the most part. To represent them with all their beauty, Studio M decided to launch a campaign and came up with 6 stunning looks for 6 gorgeous individuals.
“Studio M is proud to open its doors to all womXn and we’re glad we got to show it through this campaign,” reads the caption of their Instagram post.
The makeup looks were paired with the custom pieces presented by Shahnawaz Arif. It was an empowering campaign, but what caught our attention was the statement piece ‘Not Your Moodboard’ which comments on trans individuals being trailblazers for fashion but never being front and center in fashion campaigns.
The story behind Not Your Moodboard!
The artist shares the story behind this specially curated artwork.
“Not Your Moodboard! – Ever since I started making custom pieces I’ve wanted everyone to be a part of that experience, and when Mariam said she wants every woman to know that @studiom.f8 will take care of her I immediately told her we should go with these statement pieces.”
Brands need to be more inclusive and need to acknowledge trans individuals as well.
“I truly love everything Studio M stands for and I think more brands should be inclusive in their campaigns. It’s about time big brands stop acting like they didn’t build their brand off of fashion/beauty that trans and gender non-conforming individuals invented. It’s 2021! I want to see all shades of brown, every body type, every type of person shine.”
Let’s try to find a cure for the colonial hangover and accept that people are so much more than a ‘mood board’.
“Contrary to what our colonizers have embedded into generations of South Asians, people aren’t made to be put in boxes or categories. People are not just a mood board, they’re people, they’re not just pictures they’re actual human beings with stories that need to be on billboards and magazine covers.”
Studio M actively tries to raise awareness through their projects and campaigns. But, we need to see it more often. Other brands also need to step up and support such causes.
We are the ones who will bring a change to the society and for that, we’ll have to team up and work together. Here’s to hoping for a better future where we all stand equal.
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