Laxmi Saam was just 15 when a 32-year-old man threw the liquid chemical in her face after she turned down his offer of marriage. In the wake of her attack she’s become an outspoken advocate for harsh punishments for acid attackers, and regulated acid sales.
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Acid attack survivor Laxmi Saa has become the face of a new fashion campaign by Indian fashion label, Viva N Diva.
Viva N Diva also hopes their use of Laxmi in these campaign images will open up the doors of the fashion industry and allow for a greater diversity of appearance and experience to be represented.
Those who survive acid attacks often face lifelong scars and social stigma. “I remember asking for help from people who were present there but no one came forward”, she remembers.
Acid attacks, particularly on women, are unfortunately rather common in India. Then I felt an intense burning.
Now, Viva N Diva has brought her into a wider spotlight for a whole new audience as she models their latest line of clothes for women. She is more about her panache and courage than the normal white skin.
Saa is the first in a proposed series of acid attack victims who will model for Viva N Diva, according to the Hindustan Times.
Through the campaign, Laxmi wishes to send a clear message to the attackers that women will not lose their courage even if their physical appearance is destroyed with acid.
There are around 1,000 acid attacks each year in India, estimates the United Kingdom charity Acid Survivors Trust International, but the country still doesn’t have specific laws to prosecute offenders.
It was disturbing and inspiring to this retailer, who had grown accustomed to looking at dolled up fashion models everyday.
“For a moment I had seen beauty in a very different way and we wanted to capture it, remove any speck of being a victim from those eyes and give them a stage, an employment, a platform, a medium to flaunt it with style”.
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Kudos to Viva N Diva for helping Laxmi Saa further her reach in activism for burn victims as well as shine in her on unique beauty, despite what is considered “societal norms”.
